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         Gentleman of the Romish religion.
      
       
         
           1674
        
      
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             A letter from a gentleman of the Romish religion, to his brother, a person of quality of the same religion, perswading him to go to church, and take those oaths the law directs proving the lawfulness thereof by arguments not disagreeable to doctrines of the Roman Church.
             Gentleman of the Romish religion.
          
           47 p.
           
             Printed for John Starkey ...,
             London :
             1674.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Test Act (1673)
        
      
    
     
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           A
           LETTER
           FROM
           A
           GENTLEMAN
           OF
           THE
           Romish
           Religion
           ,
           To
           his
           BROTHER
           a
           Person
           of
           Quality
           of
           the
           same
           RELIGION
           ;
           Perswading
           him
           to
           go
           to
           Church
           ,
           and
           take
           those
           Oaths
           the
           Law
           directs
           ,
           Proving
           the
           lawfulness
           thereof
           by
           Arguments
           not
           disagreeable
           to
           Doctrines
           of
           the
           ROMAN
           CHURCH
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             John
             Starkey
          
           ,
           at
           the
           Mitre
           within
           Temple-Bar
           .
           MDCLXXIV
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           
             Dear
             Brother
             ,
          
        
         
           THE
           business
           of
           your
           pleasant
           Letter
           I
           can
           no
           ways
           judge
           could
           be
           the
           motive
           of
           its
           jocular
           style
           :
           Is
           conviction
           for
           Recusancy
           so
           slight
           a
           matter
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           only
           to
           be
           laught
           at
           ,
           or
           is
           it
           that
           you
           have
           a
           mind
           to
           give
           his
           Majesty
           two
           of
           your
           three
           thousand
           a
           year
           ?
           I
           fear
           not
           but
           it
           may
           be
           then
           you
           have
           been
           reading
           Mr.
           
           Cowley's
           Verses
           out
           of
           Hesiod
           lately
           .
        
         
           
             Vnhappy
             they
             to
             whom
             God
             han't
             reveal'd
          
           
             By
             a
             strong
             light
             ,
             which
             must
             their
             sense
             controul
             ,
          
           
             That
             half
             a
             great
             Estate
             's
             more
             than
             the
             whole
             ;
          
           
             Vnhappy
             from
             whom
             still
             conceal'd
             does
             lye
          
           
             Of
             Roots
             and
             Herbs
             the
             wholesom
             luxury
             .
          
        
         
           But
           truly
           ,
           Brother
           ,
           believe
           me
           ,
           if
           these
           Verses
           were
           Canonical
           Scripture
           ,
           yet
           would
           they
           be
           too
           little
           to
           keep
           body
           and
           soul
           together
           ,
           when
           the
           seisure
           is
           made
           by
           the
           Sheriff
           .
        
         
           Yet
           is
           not
           2000
           a
           year
           worth
           inquiring
           after
           ,
           at
           least
           to
           know
           some
           small
           reason
           for
           parting
           with
           it
           ?
           Methinks
           it
           should
           be
           so
           ;
           I
           'm
           sure
           ,
           if
           it
           was
           mine
           ,
           I
           should
           cry
           two
           words
           to
           a
           Bargain
           before
           I
           parted
           with
           a
           souse
           of
           it
           ,
           except
           some
           body
           would
           secure
           me
           
             Terra
             firma
          
           in
           Heaven
           for
           Reprisals
           .
           And
           for
           your
           sake
           I
           am
           resolved
           to
           argue
           the
           point
           with
           our
           Holy
           Father
           the
           Pope
           ,
           a
           little
           to
           know
           why
           we
           his
           poor
           despised
           Children
           in
           England
           are
           bound
           to
           do
           some
           things
           at
           his
           commands
           ,
           he
           no
           ways
           expects
           from
           his
           
           more
           indulged
           ones
           in
           other
           Nations
           ;
           and
           such
           things
           too
           that
           practised
           produce
           our
           utter
           ruines
           .
        
         
           Now
           good
           honest
           Friend
           Mr.
           Jesuit
           ,
           mind
           not
           me
           ,
           but
           follow
           your
           more
           necessary
           Imployments
           of
           answering
           the
           Doctors
           
             Stilling
             fleet
             ,
             Tilleson
          
           ,
           and
           Floyd
           ,
           with
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Papist-Grinders
           :
           For
           I
           am
           no
           ways
           denying
           the
           Popes
           Infallibility
           ,
           but
           will
           give
           him
           fair
           play
           ,
           and
           allow
           him
           to
           be
           a
           more
           considerable
           person
           of
           Honour
           than
           consists
           with
           the
           posture
           of
           the
           times
           ,
           or
           my
           present
           affairs
           .
        
         
           Nay
           ,
           if
           it
           will
           do
           him
           any
           service
           ,
           I
           will
           grant
           him
           at
           present
           to
           be
           not
           only
           Supreme
           Bishop
           ,
           chief
           Ruler
           ,
           universal
           Head
           ,
           or
           sole
           Head
           of
           the
           universal
           Church
           ;
           but
           let
           him
           be
           as
           great
           ,
           magnificent
           ,
           and
           powerful
           as
           his
           most
           flattering
           Courtiers
           would
           have
           him
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           as
           great
           indeed
           ,
           as
           the
           Devil
           himself
           pretended
           ,
           when
           he
           proffered
           the
           whole
           Earth
           ,
           and
           consequently
           universal
           Monarchy
           to
           our
           Saviour
           for
           a
           little
           worship
           .
           Let
           him
           be
           all
           this
           at
           present
           ,
           if
           he
           pleases
           ,
           say
           I
           ,
           yet
           I
           hope
           to
           prove
           that
           an
           English
           Roman
           Catholick
           ,
           and
           consequently
           you
           ,
           Brother
           ,
           may
           go
           to
           Church
           as
           the
           Law
           directs
           ,
           nay
           ought
           to
           do
           it
           notwithstanding
           any
           commands
           or
           pretended
           commands
           from
           him
           or
           his
           holy
           Predecessors
           to
           the
           contrary
           .
        
         
           For
           let
           us
           consider
           ,
           that
           this
           Omnipotency
           of
           his
           power
           ,
           be
           it
           more
           or
           less
           ,
           must
           needs
           terminate
           in
           this
           ,
           that
           he
           has
           no
           power
           where
           he
           will
           have
           no
           power
           ,
           and
           cannot
           command
           where
           he
           will
           not
           command
           :
           Nay
           ,
           I
           may
           safely
           conclude
           ,
           That
           a
           good
           Catholick
           may
           believe
           he
           does
           not
           command
           where
           he
           plainly
           ,
           openly
           ,
           and
           solemnly
           says
           ,
           he
           will
           not
           command
           ,
           till
           he
           unsays
           that
           saying
           .
        
         
         
           This
           in
           plain
           terms
           is
           the
           Popes
           fate
           now
           in
           England
           ;
           they
           have
           long
           since
           by
           an
           unrepeal'd
           publick
           Act
           of
           their
           Authority
           ,
           Excommunicated
           in
           the
           highest
           manner
           this
           whole
           Nation
           ;
           interdicting
           to
           the
           very
           ground
           that
           feeds
           us
           ,
           and
           the
           air
           we
           breath
           ,
           any
           spiritual
           Blessings
           or
           Benefits
           .
        
         
           Now
           this
           solemn
           Excommunication
           not
           only
           casts
           out
           of
           the
           Fatherly
           protection
           and
           care
           of
           the
           Pope
           ,
           those
           who
           fall
           under
           it
           ;
           but
           deprives
           them
           of
           the
           use
           of
           Sacraments
           ,
           Masses
           ,
           Indulgences
           ,
           Churches
           ,
           Succession
           of
           Bishops
           ,
           Priests
           ,
           and
           Holy
           Orders
           ,
           and
           all
           other
           Christian
           Rights
           and
           Priviledges
           whatsoever
           ,
           as
           plainly
           appears
           from
           the
           very
           form
           used
           in
           doing
           it
           ;
           as
           likewise
           in
           the
           practice
           of
           this
           Kingdom
           in
           King
           
           John's
           Time
           ,
           as
           is
           proved
           by
           our
           Histories
           ,
           when
           for
           six
           years
           this
           Kingdom
           remained
           under
           it
           ;
           and
           lately
           in
           Venice
           ,
           when
           the
           Jesuits
           left
           that
           State
           rather
           than
           obey
           the
           Senate
           ,
           in
           performing
           Holy
           Offices
           contrary
           to
           his
           Holinesses
           intention
           ,
           which
           Act
           of
           theirs
           they
           to
           this
           day
           justifie
           .
        
         
           I
           might
           instance
           many
           more
           Examples
           ,
           to
           prove
           the
           sad
           Condition
           of
           Countries
           Excommunicated
           ,
           if
           the
           Exalters
           of
           the
           Popes
           Authority
           were
           Infallible
           ,
           Heavenly
           Oracles
           :
           But
           I
           having
           nothing
           to
           do
           in
           that
           point
           ,
           shall
           only
           glance
           at
           those
           things
           necessary
           to
           my
           present
           purpose
           ,
           which
           is
           ,
           to
           save
           your
           Estate
           ,
           Brother
           ,
           and
           therefore
           shall
           still
           allow
           the
           Pope
           his
           most
           extended
           Infallibility
           ,
           since
           that
           makes
           not
           at
           all
           against
           me
           in
           this
           Argument
           .
           For
           't
           is
           not
           material
           to
           me
           that
           Father
           Paul
           ,
           Author
           of
           the
           History
           of
           the
           Council
           of
           Trent
           ,
           does
           in
           his
           defence
           of
           the
           State
           of
           Venice
           ,
           against
           the
           proceedings
           of
           Pope
           Paul
           the
           Seventh
           ,
           prove
           ,
           that
           Excommunication
           
           is
           a
           spiritual
           punishment
           ,
           which
           implies
           there
           ought
           to
           be
           an
           offence
           ,
           and
           that
           except
           there
           be
           ,
           the
           Censure
           cannot
           reach
           the
           Person
           against
           whom
           it
           was
           intended
           .
           I
           say
           ,
           though
           this
           be
           reasonable
           ,
           nay
           ,
           may
           be
           unanswerable
           as
           to
           the
           thing
           then
           pleaded
           for
           ;
           yet
           it
           will
           be
           no
           ways
           satisfactory
           to
           the
           point
           now
           in
           hand
           ,
           which
           is
           ,
           whether
           the
           Pope
           has
           any
           Authority
           left
           in
           England
           or
           no
           ,
           for
           that
           is
           plain
           he
           has
           not
           ;
           for
           though
           at
           first
           it
           may
           be
           all
           our
           Grandfathers
           did
           not
           justly
           incur
           so
           rigorous
           a
           sentence
           ,
           as
           to
           be
           wholly
           lopt
           off
           from
           the
           Catholick
           Church
           :
           yet
           that
           Pope
           that
           excommunicated
           them
           ,
           and
           those
           ever
           since
           ,
           have
           absolutely
           refused
           to
           have
           any
           Spiritual
           care
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           consequently
           command
           over
           them
           ;
           renouncing
           it
           then
           ,
           and
           Annually
           renewing
           that
           Renunciation
           ever
           since
           ;
           so
           that
           there
           has
           been
           no
           continuation
           of
           Bishops
           in
           this
           Kingdom
           ,
           nor
           cannot
           be
           according
           to
           the
           Institutions
           of
           the
           Roman
           Catholick
           Church
           ,
           till
           that
           solemn
           Excommunication
           be
           taken
           off
           .
        
         
           In
           this
           Condition
           is
           England
           and
           Scotland
           put
           by
           the
           Pope
           ,
           whilst
           Ireland
           our
           neighbour
           and
           fellow
           Subject
           Kingdom
           still
           continuing
           in
           his
           Holinesses
           good
           Grace
           ,
           enjoys
           all
           the
           Priviledges
           from
           him
           of
           the
           most
           Catholick
           Country
           .
        
         
           So
           that
           I
           conclude
           ,
           the
           Pope's
           Infallibility
           will
           certainly
           reach
           this
           ,
           at
           least
           ;
           That
           he
           has
           Power
           to
           refuse
           to
           Govern
           ,
           Command
           ,
           or
           Protect
           all
           he
           pleases
           ,
           and
           wheresoever
           he
           pleases
           :
           amongst
           which
           Places
           ,
           I
           take
           England
           to
           be
           ;
           since
           he
           ,
           and
           all
           his
           Predecessors
           since
           Pius
           Quintus's
           Time
           ,
           have
           solemnly
           declared
           it
           to
           be
           so
           .
        
         
           Then
           ,
           Good
           Father
           Clement
           ,
           since
           you
           will
           have
           
           nothing
           to
           do
           ,
           I
           desire
           you
           will
           still
           stand
           by
           ,
           and
           let
           us
           shift
           for
           our selves
           as
           well
           as
           we
           can
           .
           As
           for
           the
           Gentlemen
           Missionaries
           you
           have
           sent
           to
           convert
           us
           ,
           I
           hope
           we
           shall
           be
           able
           to
           deal
           with
           them
           well
           enough
           ,
           for
           all
           we
           go
           to
           Church
           ;
           which
           I
           am
           about
           to
           prove
           to
           you
           ,
           Dear
           Brother
           ,
           we
           may
           lawfully
           do
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           The
           thing
           in
           it self
           is
           by
           all
           Casuists
           in
           the
           World
           allowed
           to
           be
           no
           Sin
           ,
           but
           wholly
           Indifferent
           ;
           as
           is
           plain
           from
           the
           Practice
           in
           France
           ,
           and
           all
           other
           Nations
           .
           But
           this
           is
           such
           a
           Truth
           ,
           that
           should
           I
           bring
           Arguments
           to
           prove
           it
           so
           ,
           it
           would
           appear
           as
           impertinent
           in
           me
           ,
           as
           a
           long
           Harangue
           would
           be
           to
           prove
           there
           are
           such
           things
           as
           Penal
           Laws
           against
           Recusancy
           in
           England
           :
           which
           ,
           I
           suppose
           ,
           to
           you
           ,
           Brother
           ,
           would
           be
           very
           needless
           .
        
         
           Now
           this
           granted
           ,
           That
           it
           is
           not
           
             Malum
             in
             se
          
           ;
           how
           then
           can
           it
           be
           a
           Sin
           ?
           Certainly
           it
           must
           be
           against
           some
           express
           Command
           to
           the
           contrary
           ;
           and
           so
           it
           will
           fall
           under
           that
           Head
           of
           
             Malum
             Prohibitum
          
           .
           Now
           if
           I
           prove
           it
           not
           under
           this
           last
           ,
           then
           it
           can
           be
           no
           Sin
           at
           all
           :
           And
           this
           will
           be
           no
           hard
           Task
           to
           perform
           .
        
         
           For
           ,
           Dear
           Brother
           ,
           do
           but
           bestow
           a
           very
           little
           thinking
           (
           Half
           as
           much
           as
           a
           Meditation
           before
           a
           Mass
           ,
           will
           serve
           )
           of
           that
           Authority
           which
           the
           Pope
           has
           left
           himself
           in
           England
           ;
           and
           you
           will
           find
           ,
           that
           all
           Bulls
           formerly
           sent
           ,
           or
           hereafter
           to
           come
           from
           Rome
           ,
           during
           the
           continuance
           of
           this
           Excommunication
           are
           to
           be
           lookt
           on
           here
           as
           fraudulent
           ,
           false
           ,
           and
           forged
           ones
           ,
           no
           ways
           binding
           the
           most
           zealous
           of
           his
           Holinesses
           Children
           ,
           nay
           rather
           as
           things
           that
           in
           a
           most
           abusive
           manner
           give
           the
           lye
           to
           the
           solemnest
           Discipline
           and
           Rights
           of
           holy
           Church
           .
        
         
         
           For
           in
           no
           Action
           can
           his
           Holiness
           so
           clearly
           express
           his
           intention
           and
           power
           as
           in
           those
           of
           solemn
           Excommunications
           against
           Nations
           ,
           they
           being
           the
           most
           visible
           and
           publick
           demonstrations
           of
           his
           pretended
           Omnipotency
           in
           governing
           the
           Earth
           .
           Now
           is
           it
           not
           more
           than
           Schismatical
           Insolence
           to
           affirm
           ,
           that
           his
           Holinesses
           Empire
           and
           the
           Church
           is
           so
           divided
           in
           it self
           ,
           as
           that
           one
           personal
           Act
           of
           his
           should
           positively
           contradict
           and
           give
           the
           lye
           to
           another
           ,
           as
           it
           must
           plainly
           do
           ,
           if
           he
           after
           the
           solemn
           Excommunication
           of
           a
           Nation
           ,
           shall
           ,
           during
           that
           censure
           ,
           send
           any
           Bull
           of
           Direction
           to
           guide
           the
           people
           thereof
           in
           their
           journey
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           whither
           he
           openly
           declares
           they
           never
           shall
           arrive
           ,
           having
           as
           much
           as
           in
           him
           lies
           ,
           sealed
           up
           the
           Gates
           of
           Glory
           to
           them
           ?
           For
           to
           this
           purpose
           or
           none
           tend
           all
           Excommunications
           ,
           which
           are
           pursuant
           to
           the
           promise
           of
           Binding
           and
           Loosing
           .
           Therefore
           from
           this
           reason
           I
           gather
           that
           several
           things
           done
           and
           taught
           by
           the
           Jesuits
           and
           Missionary
           Priests
           here
           ,
           not
           only
           fall
           under
           Protestant
           Laws
           of
           Treason
           and
           Catholick
           National
           Laws
           of
           Praemunire
           ;
           but
           are
           also
           contrary
           to
           the
           Fundamental
           Rules
           and
           Practices
           of
           the
           Roman
           Catholick
           Church
           it self
           .
        
         
           For
           an
           instance
           ,
           Indulgences
           given
           by
           his
           Holiness
           to
           the
           Catholick
           Church
           in
           general
           ,
           these
           are
           often
           published
           at
           Mass
           and
           in
           Sermons
           by
           Missionaries
           here
           ,
           and
           the
           means
           to
           obtain
           the
           benefits
           of
           them
           zealously
           pursued
           and
           performed
           by
           Catholicks
           .
           Now
           allowing
           the
           utmost
           benefit
           to
           be
           really
           in
           them
           that
           ever
           Pardon-seller
           in
           Spain
           pretended
           ,
           yet
           to
           English
           Roman
           Catholicks
           they
           can
           be
           nothing
           worth
           ;
           for
           by
           that
           infallible
           power
           resides
           in
           the
           Church
           best
           exprest
           
           in
           lawful
           general
           Councils
           ,
           of
           which
           sort
           we
           all
           say
           the
           Council
           of
           Trent
           was
           .
           I
           say
           by
           this
           infallible
           Power
           and
           in
           that
           Council
           is
           taught
           ,
           That
           the
           intention
           of
           the
           Agent
           is
           absolutely
           necessary
           to
           the
           performance
           or
           end
           of
           any
           Religious
           Action
           ,
           or
           the
           benefits
           to
           arise
           thereby
           .
           Insomuch
           that
           the
           intention
           of
           the
           Priest
           ,
           directed
           to
           the
           contrary
           ,
           shall
           null
           or
           rather
           make
           absent
           the
           Sacrament
           of
           Baptism
           or
           any
           other
           Rite
           ,
           notwithstanding
           all
           Ceremonies
           necessary
           were
           performed
           .
        
         
           Now
           if
           this
           be
           truly
           so
           ,
           as
           you
           and
           I
           ,
           nay
           all
           Roman
           Catholicks
           are
           bound
           to
           believe
           ,
           how
           much
           more
           will
           it
           operate
           in
           this
           trick
           of
           Indulgences
           ,
           which
           flow
           only
           from
           the
           Fountain
           of
           the
           Popes
           good
           pleasure
           ,
           and
           can
           certainly
           operate
           no
           farther
           than
           he
           intends
           them
           ,
           which
           cannot
           be
           to
           England
           ,
           or
           any
           English
           man
           ,
           they
           being
           put
           wholly
           out
           of
           his
           Fatherly
           care
           and
           protection
           by
           his
           grand
           Interdiction
           ,
           the
           best
           discovery
           of
           his
           intention
           that
           can
           be
           ,
           except
           when
           he
           expresses
           himself
           in
           a
           general
           Council
           ?
        
         
           Pardon
           this
           short
           digression
           concerning
           Indulgences
           ,
           it
           being
           only
           to
           illustrate
           this
           infallible
           Truth
           ,
           That
           these
           Indulgences
           or
           any
           other
           Bull
           in
           general
           or
           directed
           in
           particular
           to
           this
           Kingdom
           ,
           cannot
           be
           supposed
           to
           flow
           from
           the
           Popes
           intention
           ,
           since
           they
           so
           palpably
           are
           against
           his
           more
           solemn
           declared
           pleasure
           ,
           which
           he
           annually
           renews
           .
           Nor
           ought
           any
           Roman
           Catholick
           here
           look
           on
           them
           but
           as
           the
           tricks
           of
           private
           Missionaries
           for
           their
           own
           advantage
           ,
           since
           they
           perfectly
           contradict
           ,
           not
           only
           the
           Laws
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           but
           the
           Fundamental
           Laws
           of
           the
           Romish
           Church
           it self
           .
        
         
         
           We
           may
           indeed
           speak
           of
           Popes
           Bulls
           ,
           Brother
           ,
           as
           of
           Letters
           Patents
           obtained
           from
           Princes
           of
           course
           ,
           which
           though
           ,
           when
           according
           to
           Law
           ,
           are
           binding
           ,
           not
           only
           to
           Subjects
           ,
           but
           against
           themselves
           and
           Successors
           ;
           yet
           when
           they
           proceed
           contrary
           to
           the
           Fundamentals
           of
           their
           Government
           ,
           then
           are
           they
           of
           no
           value
           ,
           but
           in
           themselves
           void
           ,
           Mankind
           always
           in
           such
           cases
           supposing
           the
           Prince
           to
           be
           deceived
           in
           his
           Grant
           :
           So
           stands
           the
           Case
           here
           .
           Till
           his
           Holiness
           takes
           off
           the
           Excommunication
           of
           this
           Nation
           ,
           which
           is
           an
           effect
           of
           his
           plenitude
           of
           Power
           ,
           and
           accords
           with
           the
           Fundamentals
           of
           his
           Regiment
           ;
           no
           Bull
           sent
           hither
           ought
           to
           be
           taken
           notice
           of
           ,
           they
           being
           in
           themselves
           apparently
           void
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           contrary
           to
           the
           Laws
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           made
           in
           Catholick
           times
           ,
           near
           two
           hundred
           years
           before
           the
           Pope
           cast
           off
           it
           ,
           or
           it
           the
           Pope
           :
           Bringing
           in
           a
           Bull
           to
           this
           Kingdom
           without
           the
           Kings
           leave
           ,
           being
           then
           made
           Praemunire
           ,
           which
           Law
           was
           for
           all
           that
           time
           complied
           with
           by
           very
           many
           ,
           and
           as
           we
           say
           ,
           Good
           Popes
           .
        
         
           To
           sum
           up
           all
           ,
           it
           comes
           to
           this
           :
           Things
           in
           themselves
           no
           sins
           ,
           cannot
           become
           such
           ,
           but
           by
           some
           lawful
           prohibition
           .
           Going
           to
           Church
           in
           it self
           is
           no
           sin
           ,
           nor
           can
           it
           become
           so
           by
           the
           Popes
           Command
           to
           a
           Country
           in
           which
           he
           renounces
           all
           Power
           :
           England
           is
           such
           a
           Country
           ;
           therefore
           till
           he
           or
           his
           Successors
           take
           off
           the
           Excommunication
           ,
           no
           Catholick
           is
           obliged
           to
           take
           notice
           of
           that
           ,
           or
           any
           other
           pretended
           Command
           sent
           from
           him
           hither
           ,
           but
           perfectly
           
             (
             è
             contrà
          
           )
           Therefore
           going
           to
           Church
           is
           lawful
           in
           England
           for
           Roman
           Catholicks
           .
        
         
           But
           not
           to
           leave
           the
           point
           thus
           :
           I
           begin
           to
           doubt
           
           extremely
           ,
           whether
           we
           are
           not
           obliged
           in
           Conscience
           to
           go
           to
           Church
           as
           the
           Law
           directs
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           when
           we
           omit
           it
           ,
           freely
           to
           pay
           the
           penalty
           .
           For
           it
           is
           granted
           on
           all
           hands
           ,
           that
           a
           thing
           not
           
             malum
             in
             se
          
           may
           become
           
             malum
             prohibitum
          
           ,
           if
           commanded
           by
           lawful
           Authority
           ,
           which
           I
           hope
           none
           of
           us
           will
           deny
           the
           Government
           in
           England
           to
           be
           :
           I
           'm
           sure
           he
           that
           should
           ,
           would
           deserve
           the
           severest
           execution
           provided
           by
           the
           most
           sanguinary
           Law.
           Now
           the
           Government
           of
           England
           requires
           all
           the
           Subjects
           thereof
           to
           meet
           together
           at
           such
           a
           time
           and
           such
           a
           place
           ,
           no
           matter
           where
           ,
           suppose
           it
           Salisbury
           Plain
           ;
           doth
           any
           man
           think
           he
           would
           deserve
           the
           protection
           thereof
           that
           should
           obstinately
           ,
           without
           lawful
           excuse
           ,
           refuse
           to
           come
           thither
           ?
           no
           certainly
           he
           would
           not
           ,
           only
           incur
           deservedly
           the
           penalty
           provided
           ;
           but
           speaking
           like
           Christians
           ,
           who
           are
           directed
           to
           obey
           for
           conscience
           sake
           ,
           he
           would
           commit
           a
           grievous
           sin
           against
           God.
           Now
           what
           excuse
           can
           we
           make
           for
           our
           obstinacy
           ,
           in
           refusing
           to
           go
           to
           the
           Churches
           at
           times
           commanded
           ?
           The
           Popes
           pretended
           Commands
           will
           not
           do
           ;
           for
           were
           they
           more
           binding
           than
           the
           Laws
           of
           a
           Nation
           ,
           which
           certainly
           they
           are
           not
           ,
           yet
           can
           we
           have
           none
           such
           from
           him
           ,
           having
           no
           Bishops
           or
           Spiritual
           Superiours
           left
           ,
           whom
           we
           might
           or
           ought
           to
           trust
           for
           the
           truth
           of
           them
           when
           they
           came
           ,
           and
           we
           have
           his
           too
           too
           solemn
           promise
           ,
           that
           he
           will
           have
           nothing
           to
           do
           with
           us
           .
           This
           being
           so
           ,
           I
           am
           afraid
           the
           private
           discourses
           and
           false
           pretences
           of
           private
           mercenary
           Jesuits
           and
           Missionaries
           will
           not
           be
           a
           sufficient
           Basis
           to
           rely
           upon
           before
           the
           last
           Tribunal
           for
           such
           obstinate
           resistance
           against
           lawful
           Authority
           in
           things
           in
           themselves
           wholly
           indifferent
           .
        
         
         
           Now
           ,
           Brother
           ,
           I
           know
           Mr.
           Politick
           the
           Jesuit
           ,
           if
           you
           shew
           him
           this
           ,
           will
           presently
           bless
           himself
           with
           the
           sign
           of
           the
           Cross
           ,
           desire
           all
           to
           joyn
           in
           a
           
             Pater
             noster
          
           and
           
             Ave
             Maria
          
           against
           the
           infection
           ,
           and
           then
           dogmatically
           affirm
           I
           am
           turned
           a
           rank
           ,
           nay
           dangerous
           Heretick
           .
           Your
           Daughters
           must
           be
           desired
           to
           visit
           me
           no
           more
           ,
           for
           fear
           of
           perversion
           ;
           nay
           you
           will
           be
           perswaded
           to
           double
           my
           Annuity
           ,
           on
           condition
           I
           never
           see
           your
           face
           again
           .
           Well
           ,
           if
           these
           afflictions
           should
           happen
           ,
           I
           cannot
           help
           it
           ;
           but
           for
           the
           mind
           I
           am
           in
           ,
           it
           must
           be
           stronger
           Arguments
           shall
           hinder
           me
           from
           avoiding
           conviction
           ,
           as
           long
           as
           with
           a
           safe
           conscience
           I
           can
           .
           And
           I
           think
           there
           are
           none
           such
           ;
           for
           I
           have
           considered
           all
           I
           ever
           hitherto
           have
           heard
           ,
           and
           to
           me
           they
           appear
           weak
           and
           impertinent
           .
           But
           that
           I
           may
           not
           be
           thought
           only
           to
           affirm
           this
           ,
           I
           will
           sum
           up
           all
           I
           know
           any
           thing
           to
           the
           purpose
           .
        
         
           To
           begin
           first
           then
           with
           scandal
           ,
           which
           is
           one
           Argument
           mainly
           urged
           ,
           I
           suppose
           it
           can
           never
           be
           intended
           ,
           that
           if
           a
           weak
           Brother
           ,
           
             id
             est
          
           ,
           perhaps
           a
           Fool
           ,
           shall
           be
           troubled
           in
           mind
           that
           I
           have
           six
           dishes
           of
           meat
           at
           my
           Table
           ,
           and
           himself
           and
           many
           better
           Christians
           than
           I
           ,
           have
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           ,
           scarce
           half
           a
           one
           ;
           That
           I
           must
           therefore
           ,
           for
           fear
           of
           being
           an
           eye-sore
           to
           him
           ,
           retrench
           my self
           to
           his
           fragments
           .
           And
           yet
           S.
           Paul
           ,
           as
           to
           his
           own
           practice
           ,
           seemed
           to
           resolve
           this
           ,
           since
           he
           says
           ,
           he
           would
           never
           eat
           meat
           whilst
           he
           lived
           ,
           rather
           than
           offend
           the
           weak
           brethren
           :
           So
           I
           suppose
           ,
           and
           reasonably
           ,
           that
           his
           Doctrines
           of
           Scandals
           were
           calculated
           for
           the
           use
           of
           Christian
           Teachers
           ,
           and
           those
           that
           sought
           to
           be
           Rulers
           in
           the
           Church
           .
           For
           had
           he
           intended
           them
           for
           all
           Christians
           ,
           I
           am
           afraid
           they
           would
           have
           proved
           
           heavier
           burdens
           on
           Believers
           than
           ever
           were
           imposed
           on
           the
           Primitive
           observers
           of
           the
           Mosaical
           Law
           ,
           and
           would
           have
           but
           ill
           accorded
           with
           the
           great
           Argument
           for
           Conversion
           ,
           which
           was
           Christian
           liberty
           from
           duties
           which
           they
           and
           their
           forefathers
           were
           not
           able
           to
           undergo
           .
           Nor
           is
           it
           reasonable
           to
           think
           I
           am
           bound
           to
           part
           with
           two
           thirds
           of
           my
           Estate
           ,
           because
           some
           fool
           my
           neighbour
           may
           think
           me
           an
           Heretick
           by
           my
           going
           to
           Church
           ;
           no
           ,
           let
           him
           think
           on
           ,
           the
           sin
           is
           his
           ,
           not
           mine
           ,
           who
           do
           nothing
           but
           what
           in
           it self
           is
           lawful
           ,
           and
           what
           becomes
           my
           duty
           by
           the
           Laws
           commanding
           it
           .
           But
           he
           judges
           amiss
           of
           my
           interiour
           Faith
           by
           my
           outward
           actions
           ,
           though
           lawful
           ,
           and
           therefore
           sins
           in
           want
           of
           Charity
           .
           Thus
           much
           I
           believe
           may
           serve
           for
           Scandal
           ,
           though
           much
           more
           might
           be
           said
           .
        
         
           The
           next
           Objection
           proceeds
           from
           this
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           made
           the
           sign
           of
           Faith
           ,
           and
           therefore
           he
           that
           complies
           in
           it
           ,
           owns
           the
           Church
           of
           Englands
           Doctrine
           :
           but
           this
           must
           be
           by
           all
           rational
           men
           positively
           denied
           ,
           if
           they
           will
           consider
           these
           following
           Circumstances
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           when
           going
           to
           Church
           was
           commanded
           in
           England
           by
           a
           Penal
           Statute
           ,
           it
           was
           designed
           rather
           for
           opportunity
           to
           instruct
           people
           ,
           educated
           Roman
           Catholicks
           ,
           in
           the
           Principles
           of
           the
           Protestants
           ,
           than
           as
           an
           Act
           of
           general
           Uniformity
           in
           Faith
           ,
           which
           could
           not
           so
           suddenly
           be
           expected
           .
           Next
           ,
           it
           would
           have
           been
           a
           vain
           way
           of
           trying
           the
           Faith
           of
           Papists
           by
           a
           thing
           they
           might
           lawfully
           ,
           according
           to
           their
           own
           Religion
           ,
           do
           :
           nor
           can
           we
           believe
           the
           people
           of
           England
           assembled
           in
           Parliament
           could
           be
           so
           ignorant
           ,
           had
           they
           been
           minded
           then
           to
           have
           known
           the
           hearts
           of
           persons
           ,
           as
           to
           have
           fallen
           upon
           so
           impertinent
           a
           test
           .
           For
           
           to
           my
           sorrow
           we
           find
           ,
           when
           they
           intended
           ,
           that
           they
           knew
           a
           ready
           and
           infallible
           way
           to
           do
           it
           .
        
         
           But
           suppose
           the
           worst
           ,
           that
           the
           Law
           designed
           it
           as
           a
           tryal
           of
           Faith
           ,
           and
           a
           discovery
           of
           persons
           Popishly
           inclined
           (
           permitting
           still
           the
           thing
           in
           it self
           to
           be
           no
           sin
           )
           that
           can
           no
           ways
           oblige
           you
           to
           the
           refusal
           of
           it
           ;
           for
           I
           would
           desire
           Mr.
           Jesuit
           to
           tell
           me
           ,
           why
           you
           are
           more
           obliged
           openly
           to
           declare
           your self
           a
           Catholick
           ,
           than
           he
           is
           to
           owne
           himself
           a
           Priest
           ?
           fear
           of
           death
           I
           am
           sure
           should
           not
           deter
           him
           ,
           since
           ,
           if
           he
           dyes
           ,
           his
           Faith
           calls
           it
           Martyrdom
           ,
           which
           gains
           a
           Crown
           of
           Glory
           ,
           a
           temptation
           sufficient
           ,
           and
           much
           beyond
           what
           any
           of
           them
           will
           secure
           you
           for
           your
           Estate
           .
           But
           if
           he
           ,
           like
           S.
           Paul
           ,
           thinks
           it
           lawful
           to
           get
           down
           in
           a
           Basket
           ,
           you
           may
           as
           advisedly
           come
           to
           Christ
           by
           night
           .
           For
           is
           it
           reasonable
           ,
           that
           because
           the
           Law
           says
           ,
           Every
           Popish
           Recusant
           shall
           be
           convicted
           ,
           that
           therefore
           I
           should
           be
           bound
           presently
           to
           run
           and
           confess
           my self
           a
           Papist
           at
           the
           next
           Sessions
           ?
           For
           't
           is
           as
           rational
           to
           affirm
           that
           ,
           as
           to
           say
           I
           am
           bound
           ,
           when
           the
           Law
           prescribes
           a
           thing
           to
           be
           done
           for
           tryal
           of
           my
           Faith
           ,
           which
           I
           may
           in
           Conscience
           do
           ,
           presently
           to
           cry
           out
           against
           it
           ,
           and
           refuse
           it
           for
           that
           cause
           only
           .
           If
           that
           were
           so
           ,
           then
           it
           would
           be
           no
           hard
           matter
           ,
           by
           another
           trick
           ,
           to
           banish
           us
           all
           the
           Realm
           ,
           by
           declaring
           ,
           whosoever
           should
           be
           within
           this
           Kingdom
           on
           the
           25
           of
           March
           next
           ,
           should
           be
           esteemed
           to
           all
           intents
           and
           purposes
           no
           Roman
           Catholicks
           ,
           but
           good
           Sons
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           whether
           they
           communicated
           in
           it
           or
           no.
           
        
         
           Now
           I
           am
           afraid
           ,
           Brother
           ,
           if
           such
           a
           sign
           of
           Faith
           as
           this
           were
           by
           the
           Law
           made
           ,
           yet
           Mr.
           Jesuit
           would
           find
           many
           excuses
           for
           staying
           after
           that
           time
           .
           But
           if
           he
           
           would
           not
           ,
           I
           wish
           with
           all
           my
           heart
           the
           Parliament
           would
           make
           such
           a
           Statute
           ,
           that
           we
           might
           be
           rid
           of
           them
           .
           But
           they
           know
           better
           their
           Principles
           ,
           than
           to
           hope
           so
           fair
           a
           riddance
           by
           so
           easie
           a
           way
           ;
           no
           ,
           these
           are
           but
           weak
           Arguments
           to
           lead
           the
           too
           believing
           Laity
           by
           the
           noses
           ,
           it
           must
           be
           stronger
           toyls
           that
           shall
           catch
           their
           Elephant
           understandings
           .
           Therefore
           ,
           good
           Brother
           ,
           let
           you
           and
           I
           be
           no
           longer
           held
           by
           them
           .
           For
           't
           is
           plain
           ,
           neither
           scandal
           nor
           
             signum
             fide
          
           ought
           to
           be
           a
           hindrance
           to
           me
           from
           doing
           a
           thing
           in
           it self
           indifferent
           ,
           and
           which
           becomes
           my
           duty
           by
           the
           Law
           's
           commanding
           it
           .
        
         
           The
           next
           material
           Objection
           I
           have
           from
           some
           of
           our
           Spiritual
           misleaders
           met
           with
           ,
           is
           ,
           That
           as
           Faith
           comes
           by
           hearing
           ,
           so
           does
           Heresie
           ;
           therefore
           we
           ought
           to
           avoid
           the
           place
           where
           it
           is
           taught
           ,
           lest
           we
           should
           be
           misguided
           into
           it
           .
           If
           you
           answer
           this
           ,
           by
           saying
           the
           Argument
           would
           hold
           all
           the
           World
           over
           ,
           and
           so
           make
           it
           a
           sin
           as
           well
           in
           France
           as
           here
           ,
           then
           they
           reply
           ,
           That
           in
           Catholick
           Countries
           ,
           though
           you
           hear
           Heresie
           in
           a
           Protestant
           Sermon
           ,
           yet
           you
           have
           a
           Catholick
           Sermon
           presently
           clears
           the
           point
           ,
           and
           makes
           it
           indubitable
           on
           the
           Churches
           side
           .
           Now
           this
           by
           the
           Prohibition
           of
           Religion
           is
           prevented
           in
           England
           ,
           and
           therefore
           the
           case
           very
           different
           .
        
         
           One
           would
           think
           this
           a
           very
           subtile
           Argument
           ,
           so
           notably
           put
           together
           ,
           that
           there
           would
           be
           no
           possibility
           of
           answering
           it
           ,
           if
           one
           did
           but
           very
           much
           stand
           in
           awe
           of
           the
           Magisterial
           Mountebank
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           be
           with
           a
           world
           of
           Rhetorical
           flourishes
           ,
           and
           grave
           Quotations
           out
           of
           Scotus
           ,
           doth
           positively
           affirm
           this
           to
           be
           the
           opinion
           of
           all
           School-men
           ,
           nay
           the
           Catholick
           Church
           it
           
           elf
           .
           But
           Heaven
           knows
           ,
           examine
           it
           a
           little
           ,
           and
           you
           will
           find
           it
           a
           meer
           rope
           of
           sand
           ,
           as
           solidly
           compacted
           as
           their
           ridiculous
           ,
           though
           politick
           Doctrine
           of
           Probabilities
           ,
           and
           no
           better
           .
        
         
           For
           will
           not
           they
           ,
           or
           any
           observing
           man
           confess
           ,
           that
           the
           Romanists
           of
           England
           ,
           take
           them
           one
           with
           another
           ,
           are
           ten
           for
           one
           more
           learned
           and
           confirmed
           in
           the
           Principles
           of
           their
           Religion
           ,
           than
           those
           of
           France
           ,
           or
           any
           Catholick
           Country
           indeed
           are
           ?
           He
           that
           considers
           that
           most
           of
           the
           Natives
           of
           this
           Kingdom
           ,
           who
           are
           of
           that
           Faith
           ,
           be
           either
           Persons
           of
           Quality
           ,
           who
           have
           had
           great
           advantages
           by
           Education
           ,
           or
           Converts
           from
           the
           Protestants
           ,
           will
           easily
           believe
           there
           must
           be
           a
           great
           disparity
           between
           such
           and
           the
           general
           herd
           of
           Vulgars
           ,
           bred
           in
           Countries
           under
           a
           Religion
           no
           ways
           famous
           for
           making
           the
           common
           people
           too
           knowing
           .
        
         
           But
           suppose
           it
           is
           not
           so
           ,
           and
           that
           those
           who
           have
           so
           long
           strugled
           under
           difficulties
           in
           their
           Fortunes
           for
           Conscience
           sake
           ,
           have
           done
           it
           more
           out
           of
           ignorance
           ,
           the
           Mother
           ,
           as
           some
           say
           ,
           of
           Popish
           devotion
           ,
           than
           of
           understanding
           ;
           yet
           will
           the
           former
           Argument
           wash
           away
           in
           that
           part
           which
           says
           ,
           those
           in
           Catholick
           Countries
           have
           more
           opportunity
           of
           being
           untaught
           what
           they
           might
           prejudicially
           have
           suckt
           in
           .
           For
           none
           will
           deny
           ,
           but
           more
           Doctrine
           is
           collected
           from
           rational
           discourses
           Pro
           and
           Con
           ,
           than
           from
           such
           set
           Speeches
           as
           Sermons
           are
           .
           Therefore
           considering
           there
           are
           few
           Gentlemen
           in
           England
           of
           the
           Romish
           Religion
           ,
           who
           have
           500
           
             l.
             per
             Ann.
          
           but
           keep
           a
           Priest
           in
           their
           Houshold
           ;
           How
           is
           it
           likely
           ,
           if
           good
           Arguments
           be
           to
           be
           found
           against
           every
           thing
           the
           Protestants
           teach
           contrary
           to
           the
           Romish
           Faith
           ,
           but
           that
           they
           should
           presently
           ,
           
           upon
           inquiry
           ,
           have
           their
           new-raised
           scruples
           at
           Church
           by
           such
           sooner
           and
           stronger
           wip't
           off
           ,
           than
           a
           person
           that
           it
           may
           be
           in
           a
           Catholick
           Country
           may
           go
           to
           Church
           both
           Sunday
           and
           other
           Holy-day
           a
           year
           before
           he
           hears
           any
           Sermon
           ,
           casually
           to
           glance
           upon
           that
           point
           ,
           whereon
           such
           doubt
           of
           his
           arose
           ?
           And
           I
           dare
           affirm
           ,
           so
           sweet
           is
           the
           profit
           the
           Jesuits
           and
           Missionaries
           find
           in
           England
           ,
           that
           there
           resides
           ,
           and
           is
           like
           to
           do
           constantly
           so
           many
           here
           ,
           that
           few
           Papists
           need
           to
           be
           a
           day
           from
           speaking
           with
           one
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           an
           advantage
           equal
           to
           the
           most
           Catholick
           Nations
           .
        
         
           But
           suppose
           all
           here
           said
           nothing
           to
           the
           purpose
           ,
           but
           that
           't
           is
           likely
           many
           would
           be
           changed
           in
           time
           ,
           and
           become
           Protestants
           ;
           What
           is
           that
           to
           you
           or
           I
           ,
           Brother
           ,
           or
           indeed
           to
           any
           rational
           Lay
           Catholick
           in
           England
           ?
           for
           he
           whose
           case
           it
           should
           be
           ,
           need
           not
           much
           repine
           that
           his
           conscience
           should
           lead
           him
           into
           a
           more
           advantageous
           Religion
           as
           to
           this
           World
           :
           and
           for
           the
           other
           ,
           he
           would
           no
           doubt
           be
           as
           confident
           of
           a
           good
           place
           there
           ,
           if
           he
           acted
           purely
           upon
           the
           score
           of
           Faith
           ,
           as
           ever
           he
           was
           whilst
           he
           remained
           Papist
           .
        
         
           But
           I
           confess
           many
           such
           accidents
           as
           those
           would
           shrewdly
           inconvenience
           the
           Priests
           ,
           and
           in
           time
           lessen
           their
           number
           :
           But
           still
           what
           is
           that
           to
           you
           or
           I
           ,
           Brother
           ?
           I
           find
           no
           Canon
           of
           any
           General
           Council
           commanding
           you
           to
           give
           two
           thousand
           pound
           a
           year
           to
           increase
           the
           number
           of
           Priests
           ,
           or
           to
           maintain
           those
           that
           be
           .
           Nor
           can
           I
           believe
           Christian
           Religion
           ever
           obliged
           its
           Professors
           to
           such
           remote
           considerations
           .
           No
           ,
           all
           men
           were
           not
           bound
           ,
           like
           S.
           Paul
           ,
           to
           love
           to
           that
           extremity
           ,
           as
           to
           wish
           damnation
           for
           their
           Country-mens
           sakes
           .
           They
           that
           can
           ,
           let
           them
           ;
           but
           still
           say
           I
           ,
           Brother
           ,
           
           keep
           your
           money
           ,
           you
           'l
           repent
           it
           else
           one
           day
           ,
           take
           my
           word
           for
           it
           .
        
         
           Another
           Argument
           I
           have
           heard
           started
           ,
           which
           is
           ,
           that
           if
           Catholicks
           should
           go
           to
           Church
           ,
           yet
           the
           Parliament
           would
           at
           last
           find
           out
           something
           like
           the
           late
           Test
           for
           Imployments
           ,
           by
           which
           they
           would
           be
           found
           out
           ,
           and
           so
           consequently
           be
           no
           ways
           the
           better
           ,
           but
           suffer
           equally
           to
           what
           they
           should
           do
           by
           Recusancy
           .
        
         
           To
           this
           I
           answer
           ,
           that
           I
           ought
           as
           a
           Christian
           to
           obey
           the
           Government
           ,
           as
           far
           as
           I
           can
           in
           Conscience
           ,
           and
           that
           for
           Conscience
           sake
           ,
           and
           to
           trust
           the
           Divine
           Providence
           ,
           in
           whose
           hands
           are
           the
           hearts
           of
           Princes
           and
           Rulers
           ,
           for
           any
           thing
           by
           them
           for
           the
           future
           to
           be
           commanded
           ;
           which
           if
           I
           cannot
           then
           comply
           with
           ,
           I
           must
           either
           follow
           the
           direction
           of
           flying
           in
           persecution
           from
           city
           to
           city
           ,
           or
           patiently
           suffer
           for
           my
           sins
           what
           God
           shall
           please
           by
           the
           Law
           to
           impose
           upon
           me
           .
           But
           this
           supposition
           ,
           how
           well
           grounded
           soever
           it
           may
           seem
           ,
           ought
           not
           to
           hinder
           me
           from
           complying
           ,
           as
           far
           as
           I
           am
           able
           at
           the
           present
           ;
           such
           test
           ,
           when
           ,
           if
           ever
           ,
           it
           comes
           ,
           will
           then
           with
           its
           penalties
           be
           time
           enough
           to
           submit
           to
           .
        
         
           But
           I
           am
           of
           the
           opinion
           ,
           and
           not
           without
           some
           colour
           of
           reason
           ,
           that
           such
           a
           Test
           may
           never
           be
           ,
           especially
           if
           Catholicks
           would
           leave
           off
           Recusancy
           .
           The
           grounds
           for
           my
           conceptions
           are
           these
           .
        
         
           The
           People
           of
           England
           boast
           of
           this
           Priviledge
           beyond
           most
           European
           Nations
           ,
           if
           not
           all
           ,
           that
           no
           person
           is
           bound
           by
           Torture
           or
           Oath
           to
           accuse
           himself
           of
           any
           thing
           ,
           which
           by
           the
           Law
           is
           penal
           ;
           but
           that
           proof
           ought
           to
           come
           of
           matter
           of
           Fact
           before
           he
           suffer
           .
           Now
           this
           so
           rational
           a
           Priviledge
           ,
           which
           frees
           us
           from
           the
           slavish
           subjection
           of
           those
           governed
           by
           the
           Civil
           Law
           ,
           all
           
           English
           Parliaments
           hitherto
           have
           been
           extremely
           tender
           of
           ,
           as
           appears
           by
           those
           Laws
           provided
           for
           security
           of
           Religion
           since
           the
           Reformation
           .
           For
           every
           person
           knows
           ,
           they
           who
           incur
           punishment
           by
           not
           complying
           in
           Forms
           of
           Worship
           ,
           or
           matters
           of
           Faith
           ,
           do
           it
           out
           of
           tenderness
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           though
           it
           may
           be
           misguided
           .
           Now
           such
           persons
           one
           may
           well
           believe
           would
           scruple
           above
           all
           things
           a
           false
           Oath
           :
           Therefore
           if
           our
           Law-makers
           had
           not
           been
           very
           careful
           of
           this
           English
           Free-mans
           Priviledge
           ,
           they
           might
           have
           quickly
           left
           a
           latitude
           to
           Judges
           ,
           and
           other
           inferiour
           Magistrates
           by
           Interrogatories
           upon
           Oath
           to
           have
           found
           out
           all
           persons
           ,
           that
           had
           through
           Conscience
           offended
           against
           any
           Ecclesiastical
           Law
           ;
           as
           ,
           Whether
           have
           you
           heard
           Mass
           within
           a
           year
           or
           no
           ?
           have
           you
           asserted
           or
           taught
           the
           Popes
           Supremacy
           ,
           or
           brought
           in
           Crosses
           ,
           Beads
           ,
           or
           Images
           ,
           &c.
           
           But
           we
           find
           no
           such
           Method
           allowed
           ;
           which
           can
           spring
           from
           nothing
           but
           the
           care
           of
           this
           Sacred
           English
           Priviledge
           ,
           always
           firmly
           rooted
           in
           the
           breasts
           of
           the
           Compilers
           of
           English
           Statutes
           .
           For
           I
           should
           think
           ,
           if
           ever
           they
           would
           have
           strained
           the
           point
           ,
           it
           would
           have
           been
           in
           detection
           of
           Jesuits
           and
           Roman
           Priests
           ,
           a
           people
           they
           have
           long
           strove
           wholly
           to
           extirpate
           ,
           as
           appears
           by
           the
           punishment
           provided
           for
           them
           ,
           which
           is
           not
           only
           made
           capital
           ,
           but
           of
           the
           highest
           nature
           any
           English
           Law
           has
           yet
           prescribed
           ;
           yet
           they
           never
           went
           so
           far
           as
           to
           force
           them
           that
           were
           suspected
           upon
           Oath
           to
           purge
           themselves
           :
           which
           had
           they
           done
           ,
           none
           could
           have
           been
           left
           alive
           in
           the
           Nation
           .
           For
           I
           have
           this
           opinion
           of
           them
           ,
           not
           one
           would
           ,
           upon
           such
           examination
           ,
           deny
           himself
           ,
           except
           he
           intended
           to
           desert
           his
           Faith
           :
           And
           
           this
           the
           Makers
           of
           those
           Statutes
           as
           well
           knew
           as
           the
           late
           Usurpers
           over
           all
           the
           Laws
           ,
           Rights
           ,
           and
           Priviledges
           of
           this
           Nation
           did
           ,
           when
           they
           took
           that
           never-failing
           Method
           of
           examining
           them
           upon
           Oath
           ;
           and
           detected
           ,
           though
           not
           executed
           ,
           all
           they
           tryed
           that
           way
           .
           But
           the
           lawful
           Princes
           and
           Parliaments
           of
           this
           Kingdom
           have
           always
           avoided
           opening
           so
           dangerous
           a
           gap
           to
           perfect
           slavery
           ;
           for
           it
           would
           be
           less
           unreasonable
           for
           men
           on
           corporal
           Oath
           to
           declare
           whether
           they
           were
           guilty
           of
           Treason
           ,
           Murder
           ,
           Theft
           ,
           Forgery
           ,
           Adultery
           ,
           or
           any
           other
           notorious
           crime
           against
           the
           Law
           of
           Nature
           and
           the
           Nation
           ,
           than
           that
           they
           should
           be
           forced
           to
           discover
           thoughts
           ,
           which
           if
           not
           reduced
           into
           practice
           ,
           could
           concern
           the
           good
           or
           ill
           of
           no
           person
           but
           themselves
           ,
           and
           yet
           when
           known
           ,
           should
           bring
           them
           under
           heavier
           penalties
           than
           some
           of
           the
           other
           crimes
           .
           For
           this
           reason
           ,
           till
           I
           see
           it
           ,
           I
           may
           justly
           believe
           there
           will
           never
           be
           such
           a
           way
           appointed
           in
           our
           Law
           for
           searching
           mens
           soles
           ,
           whatsoever
           probability
           there
           hath
           been
           of
           it
           lately
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           the
           late
           Test
           ,
           that
           can
           no
           ways
           be
           brought
           in
           objection
           against
           me
           ,
           since
           Nations
           may
           prescribe
           what
           Gates
           they
           please
           ,
           through
           which
           any
           person
           is
           to
           arrive
           at
           preferment
           in
           it
           .
           And
           it
           is
           not
           at
           all
           unnatural
           or
           unpracticable
           ,
           that
           a
           proper
           Oath
           be
           provided
           for
           any
           one
           that
           takes
           an
           Imployment
           ;
           nay
           ,
           it
           hath
           always
           been
           the
           Law
           and
           Custom
           of
           this
           Nation
           ,
           since
           Christianity
           ,
           if
           not
           before
           ,
           for
           every
           person
           to
           submit
           to
           some
           sort
           of
           Oath
           before
           he
           entred
           upon
           any
           trust
           in
           the
           Common
           wealth
           ;
           insomuch
           that
           the
           Kings
           themselves
           are
           not
           wholly
           exempted
           from
           it
           .
           Now
           it
           is
           not
           at
           all
           more
           unreasonable
           ,
           that
           one
           general
           Form
           over
           and
           
           above
           such
           particular
           ones
           ,
           should
           be
           prescribed
           by
           the
           Law-makers
           at
           their
           directions
           ,
           for
           all
           such
           as
           seek
           preferments
           to
           comply
           with
           ,
           or
           not
           be
           capable
           of
           them
           ;
           for
           what
           I
           receive
           ,
           but
           of
           Grace
           cannot
           be
           called
           a
           penalty
           ,
           if
           I
           want
           :
           and
           under
           that
           head
           fall
           all
           imployments
           in
           a
           Kingdom
           that
           are
           either
           of
           profit
           or
           honour
           .
           For
           I
           suppose
           the
           being
           hindred
           from
           those
           of
           trouble
           will
           by
           no
           person
           be
           esteemed
           a
           grievance
           .
           So
           the
           imposition
           of
           the
           late
           Test
           cannot
           be
           called
           a
           purgation
           of
           men
           by
           their
           personal
           Oaths
           ,
           to
           bring
           them
           under
           legal
           Penalties
           .
           Nor
           can
           indeed
           the
           Oaths
           of
           Allegiance
           and
           Supremacy
           ,
           it
           having
           been
           the
           Method
           of
           all
           Common-wealths
           to
           prescribe
           some
           Form
           to
           the
           Subject
           ,
           whereby
           to
           own
           the
           Government
           ;
           and
           that
           is
           in
           themselves
           discretion
           all
           .
           Nor
           ought
           we
           to
           suppose
           a
           Government
           can
           be
           malicious
           to
           its
           Members
           ,
           or
           that
           it
           would
           lay
           snares
           for
           them
           ,
           but
           rather
           that
           whatever
           they
           prescribe
           ,
           proceeds
           from
           the
           desire
           of
           general
           security
           ,
           they
           still
           framing
           their
           Oaths
           so
           ,
           that
           they
           know
           all
           good
           Subjects
           may
           take
           them
           :
           if
           any
           cannot
           or
           will
           not
           ,
           it
           lies
           upon
           such
           to
           quit
           the
           Protection
           of
           that
           State
           ,
           and
           no
           ways
           obliges
           the
           State
           to
           comply
           with
           their
           obstinacy
           :
           And
           this
           last
           word
           for
           ought
           I
           know
           ,
           doth
           too
           much
           belong
           to
           those
           that
           first
           brought
           up
           the
           custom
           amongst
           Catholicks
           ,
           of
           refusing
           the
           two
           aforesaid
           Oaths
           ,
           of
           which
           more
           hereafter
           .
           In
           the
           mean
           time
           I
           only
           affirm
           ,
           that
           we
           ought
           not
           to
           omit
           doing
           our
           duty
           to
           the
           Laws
           ,
           as
           far
           as
           they
           now
           bind
           us
           ,
           because
           there
           may
           come
           such
           as
           we
           may
           no
           ways
           be
           able
           to
           comply
           with
           .
           But
           it
           is
           an
           hundred
           to
           one
           too
           ,
           that
           may
           never
           happen
           from
           the
           reason
           aforesaid
           ;
           and
           it
           would
           be
           more
           unlikely
           ,
           if
           there
           was
           a
           general
           compliance
           in
           the
           
           mean
           time
           to
           those
           things
           all
           rational
           men
           know
           Roman
           Catholicks
           might
           do
           ,
           nay
           which
           many
           known
           ,
           wise
           ,
           and
           devout
           men
           of
           them
           have
           in
           former
           times
           ,
           and
           do
           at
           this
           present
           practise
           ,
           as
           I
           could
           instance
           beyond
           all
           controversie
           ,
           if
           I
           pleased
           ,
           in
           this
           thing
           at
           present
           treated
           of
           ,
           which
           is
           going
           to
           Church
           .
           But
           ,
           Brother
           ,
           I
           know
           it
           would
           be
           needless
           to
           you
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           prejudicial
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           therefore
           I
           shall
           forbear
           names
           in
           a
           thing
           so
           notorious
           ;
           only
           be
           you
           as
           wise
           ,
           and
           do
           not
           be
           led
           by
           the
           nose
           to
           infallible
           ruine
           ,
           by
           the
           bold
           ,
           nay
           sawcy
           assertions
           of
           Fellows
           ,
           whose
           business
           is
           to
           secure
           themselves
           ,
           command
           over
           your
           conscience
           no
           ways
           belonging
           to
           them
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           thereby
           be
           Masters
           of
           such
           part
           of
           your
           remaining
           Estate
           ,
           as
           shall
           be
           necessary
           to
           their
           plenty
           or
           prodigality
           ;
           which
           if
           they
           ,
           contrary
           to
           their
           duty
           and
           function
           ,
           sought
           not
           ,
           why
           should
           they
           study
           false
           Positions
           ,
           and
           impose
           them
           on
           you
           meerly
           to
           insnare
           your
           Estate
           ?
           They
           ought
           surely
           to
           open
           the
           narrow
           way
           to
           Heaven
           at
           least
           as
           wide
           as
           it
           might
           be
           ,
           and
           not
           lay
           stumbling-blocks
           in
           our
           ways
           ,
           never
           found
           out
           but
           in
           this
           miserable
           nook
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           nor
           no
           where
           taught
           or
           thought
           on
           ,
           but
           by
           our
           Missionaries
           from
           Rome
           ,
           and
           our
           traiterous
           Fugitives
           ,
           that
           on
           Religions
           first
           alteration
           fled
           thither
           .
           For
           such
           being
           guilty
           of
           hainous
           Treasons
           against
           our
           Princes
           ,
           sought
           first
           to
           justifie
           their
           villanies
           by
           pretences
           of
           Religion
           ,
           having
           by
           their
           pernicious
           ,
           false
           ,
           and
           damnable
           Doctrines
           and
           Positions
           ,
           not
           only
           done
           vast
           hurt
           to
           the
           honest
           Professors
           of
           that
           ,
           but
           have
           placed
           upon
           it
           scandals
           not
           to
           be
           wip't
           off
           but
           with
           the
           end
           of
           time
           it self
           .
           And
           these
           Wretches
           being
           grown
           desperate
           with
           the
           ill
           success
           of
           their
           damnable
           designs
           ,
           daring
           not
           to
           return
           into
           that
           Kingdom
           ,
           
           against
           which
           they
           had
           so
           traiterously
           practised
           ,
           sought
           to
           involve
           all
           the
           moderate
           Party
           ,
           which
           stayed
           behind
           ,
           into
           ruine
           ,
           in
           revenge
           of
           their
           not
           unanimous
           joyning
           with
           them
           in
           their
           black
           Attempts
           on
           the
           Persons
           of
           our
           lawful
           Princes
           and
           Governours
           .
           These
           were
           the
           persons
           that
           suggested
           to
           the
           Popes
           motives
           ,
           for
           those
           idle
           Bulls
           so
           sent
           in
           contradiction
           of
           their
           more
           solemn
           declared
           intention
           ,
           if
           any
           such
           did
           come
           ,
           which
           we
           are
           now
           ways
           obliged
           to
           believe
           ,
           did
           or
           could
           ;
           but
           if
           they
           had
           or
           did
           ,
           't
           is
           not
           at
           all
           material
           ,
           they
           being
           no
           more
           significant
           in
           England
           ,
           than
           a
           Letter
           Mandatory
           from
           the
           Grand
           Signior
           would
           be
           .
        
         
           And
           indeed
           some
           of
           these
           pretended
           Bulls
           contained
           such
           Commands
           to
           their
           beloved
           Catholick
           Children
           here
           (
           as
           they
           were
           pleased
           to
           call
           them
           in
           contradiction
           to
           their
           Excommunication
           )
           that
           they
           should
           unanimously
           have
           Petitioned
           the
           King
           ,
           that
           both
           the
           Original
           and
           all
           the
           Copies
           of
           them
           might
           have
           been
           solemnly
           burnt
           by
           the
           common
           Hangman
           .
           Nay
           ,
           any
           person
           that
           knew
           him
           ,
           ought
           upon
           pain
           of
           damnable
           sin
           ,
           to
           have
           discovered
           the
           bringer
           of
           them
           ;
           in
           that
           if
           a
           Priest
           ,
           he
           might
           have
           received
           the
           well-merited
           death
           of
           a
           Traitor
           ;
           or
           if
           a
           Lay-man
           ,
           all
           the
           Law
           has
           in
           that
           case
           too
           easily
           provided
           .
           I
           need
           not
           instance
           which
           Bulls
           I
           mean
           ,
           they
           are
           so
           often
           brought
           against
           the
           Catholick
           Religion
           it self
           by
           Protestant
           Writers
           ,
           and
           sufficiently
           to
           the
           shame
           ,
           though
           not
           of
           the
           Popish
           Religion
           ,
           yet
           of
           those
           Popes
           who
           granted
           them
           ,
           and
           of
           those
           Papists
           that
           adhere
           to
           ,
           or
           defend
           such
           Roman
           Court
           Doctrines
           .
        
         
           But
           from
           such
           Catterpillers
           of
           the
           Christian
           Faith
           as
           those
           ,
           did
           arise
           ,
           amongst
           many
           more
           dangerous
           new
           Positions
           ,
           
           this
           of
           being
           not
           lawful
           for
           Roman
           Catholicks
           to
           go
           to
           Church
           ,
           as
           the
           Law
           requires
           in
           England
           And
           for
           the
           sakes
           and
           on
           the
           wise
           Authority
           of
           such
           desperate
           Casuists
           ,
           have
           many
           of
           our
           foolish
           Forefathers
           lost
           two
           thirds
           of
           their
           Estates
           ,
           rendred
           themselves
           suspected
           to
           the
           people
           ,
           and
           incapable
           of
           serving
           ,
           as
           they
           ought
           to
           do
           ,
           their
           lawful
           Prince
           in
           his
           extraordinary
           occasions
           ;
           which
           when
           they
           have
           attempted
           to
           do
           ,
           this
           their
           open
           unnecessary
           dissention
           has
           cast
           an
           Odium
           unjustly
           both
           on
           himself
           and
           his
           actions
           for
           imploying
           them
           .
        
         
           Now
           if
           it
           be
           inquired
           by
           you
           or
           your
           Confessaries
           ,
           what
           Arguments
           could
           move
           Pope
           
             Pius
             Quintus
          
           ,
           or
           his
           immediate
           Successor
           ,
           to
           send
           a
           Bull
           of
           Prohibition
           to
           the
           Catholicks
           in
           England
           for
           going
           to
           Church
           ,
           the
           thing
           being
           in
           it self
           no
           fault
           ,
           and
           as
           I
           affirm
           so
           positively
           against
           the
           Rules
           and
           Practices
           of
           their
           Predecessors
           ,
           nay
           against
           the
           Fundamentals
           of
           their
           Government
           :
           To
           this
           I
           must
           answer
           ,
           There
           were
           divers
           Motives
           in
           Policy
           ,
           as
           they
           observed
           things
           of
           this
           Island
           in
           Rome
           ,
           though
           none
           in
           Religion
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           they
           were
           perswaded
           by
           such
           Traitors
           as
           fled
           hence
           thither
           ,
           that
           almost
           the
           whole
           Nation
           remained
           Catholicks
           ,
           notwithstanding
           the
           Queen
           had
           altered
           the
           Government
           .
           And
           that
           they
           would
           find
           them
           such
           ignorant
           ones
           too
           ,
           as
           their
           Holy
           Predecessors
           had
           known
           them
           ,
           when
           they
           made
           this
           Nation
           the
           Pack-horse
           to
           their
           pride
           ,
           and
           a
           perpetual
           Fountain
           of
           Money
           to
           their
           Treasuries
           ,
           which
           some
           of
           them
           with
           admiration
           boasted
           could
           never
           be
           exhausted
           .
           Upon
           these
           suppositions
           they
           were
           made
           to
           believe
           ,
           that
           such
           a
           Bull
           would
           cause
           this
           mighty
           Party
           to
           be
           visible
           ,
           not
           only
           
           to
           their
           Enemies
           ,
           but
           themselves
           ,
           to
           the
           terrour
           of
           one
           ,
           and
           incouragement
           to
           the
           uniting
           of
           the
           other
           Party
           .
           This
           was
           one
           ,
           and
           it
           may
           be
           the
           grand
           motive
           of
           that
           Proceeding
           ,
           so
           contrary
           to
           all
           President
           .
        
         
           The
           next
           ,
           and
           in
           all
           likelihood
           not
           the
           least
           motive
           might
           be
           the
           perswasion
           of
           those
           Traitors
           ,
           that
           there
           would
           be
           found
           in
           England
           many
           as
           desperate
           as
           themselves
           to
           bandy
           together
           ,
           take
           Arms
           against
           ,
           or
           assasinate
           the
           Queen
           ,
           when
           they
           saw
           their
           Party
           so
           considerable
           as
           this
           would
           prove
           it
           ,
           besides
           the
           blessing
           ,
           must
           needs
           attends
           such
           pious
           endeavours
           ,
           warranted
           by
           his
           Holinesses
           care
           and
           direction
           .
        
         
           But
           all
           these
           Policies
           and
           Practices
           did
           by
           the
           wisdom
           of
           that
           Queen
           and
           her
           Council
           ,
           only
           tend
           to
           the
           discovering
           such
           desperates
           ,
           as
           being
           of
           the
           like
           Principles
           ,
           thereon
           took
           Arms
           ,
           and
           were
           for
           it
           deservedly
           executed
           ,
           or
           forced
           to
           increase
           the
           numbers
           of
           those
           Fugitives
           in
           voluntary
           Banishment
           .
           But
           notwithstanding
           this
           might
           ,
           like
           a
           Message
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           sufficiently
           have
           warned
           the
           Catholicks
           of
           England
           from
           hearkening
           any
           more
           after
           News
           from
           Rome
           ,
           at
           least
           till
           the
           Popes
           should
           have
           been
           so
           charitable
           to
           re-admit
           them
           into
           the
           Congregation
           of
           the
           Faithful
           ,
           by
           taking
           off
           the
           Excommunication
           from
           them
           ;
           yet
           have
           the
           private
           Missionaries
           (
           being
           all
           sent
           into
           the
           Nation
           under
           the
           title
           of
           Traitors
           by
           the
           Law
           )
           so
           adhered
           to
           the
           Tenets
           of
           the
           Court
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Church
           of
           Rome
           which
           sends
           them
           ,
           that
           they
           have
           by
           degrees
           instilled
           into
           the
           Laity
           here
           many
           Principles
           of
           Adherence
           to
           the
           Pope
           ,
           that
           would
           be
           laught
           at
           in
           France
           ,
           and
           some
           few
           other
           rational
           Catholick
           Kingdoms
           .
           Amongst
           which
           ,
           this
           of
           thinking
           the
           Popes
           Commands
           can
           make
           
           that
           a
           sin
           ,
           which
           in
           it self
           is
           none
           ,
           ought
           to
           be
           accounted
           one
           .
           Upon
           which
           ground
           alone
           they
           refuse
           to
           obey
           the
           Law
           in
           the
           thing
           now
           in
           debate
           ;
           for
           which
           I
           think
           they
           are
           but
           justly
           punisht
           with
           the
           loss
           of
           their
           Estates
           .
        
         
           But
           ,
           Brother
           ,
           be
           you
           wiser
           ,
           study
           the
           Catholick
           Doctrine
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           taught
           by
           Fathers
           and
           Councils
           ,
           and
           not
           as
           it
           would
           fain
           be
           made
           by
           the
           novel
           Positions
           of
           
           Ignatius's
           Followers
           ,
           between
           whom
           and
           you
           there
           is
           a
           vast
           difference
           ;
           both
           in
           the
           duty
           you
           owe
           to
           the
           King
           and
           his
           Laws
           ,
           as
           likewise
           in
           those
           you
           stand
           obliged
           in
           to
           Rome
           .
        
         
           For
           first
           ,
           they
           and
           all
           other
           Missionaries
           ,
           being
           the
           hour
           they
           set
           foot
           here
           ,
           become
           Traitors
           ,
           and
           so
           consequently
           in
           all
           the
           business
           they
           come
           about
           ,
           not
           only
           out
           of
           the
           protection
           ,
           but
           under
           the
           severest
           censure
           of
           the
           Law
           ;
           no
           wonder
           they
           have
           not
           the
           same
           respect
           for
           it
           other
           Subjects
           ought
           to
           have
           ,
           but
           dare
           practise
           lesser
           contradictions
           that
           offend
           in
           the
           greater
           .
           Nay
           it
           may
           be
           against
           their
           going
           to
           Church
           Scandal
           would
           prove
           a
           good
           Argument
           ,
           since
           they
           pretend
           to
           be
           ready
           always
           to
           lay
           down
           their
           lives
           for
           the
           increase
           of
           their
           Faith
           ;
           but
           this
           is
           no
           ways
           your
           or
           any
           other
           Lay
           Catholicks
           case
           ,
           the
           Law
           ,
           if
           you
           obey
           in
           some
           particulars
           prescribed
           ,
           giving
           you
           equal
           protection
           with
           others
           of
           the
           National
           Principles
           .
        
         
           Another
           thing
           to
           be
           considered
           ,
           is
           ,
           That
           the
           hour
           they
           receive
           Holy
           Orders
           ,
           they
           take
           an
           Oath
           of
           Subjection
           to
           the
           Pope
           ,
           and
           so
           by
           the
           same
           Act
           become
           Renouncers
           of
           their
           Allegiance
           to
           the
           King
           ,
           and
           Subject
           to
           his
           Holiness
           .
           Now
           how
           far
           this
           may
           be
           consonant
           to
           Christian
           Religion
           ,
           I
           will
           not
           examine
           here
           ;
           
           but
           I
           am
           sure
           it
           puts
           them
           in
           a
           very
           different
           posture
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           Popes
           designs
           ,
           to
           what
           any
           other
           Catholicks
           are
           in
           :
           They
           being
           ,
           according
           to
           their
           vow
           ,
           upon
           the
           least
           summons
           to
           leave
           the
           Country
           ,
           and
           to
           go
           where
           his
           Holinesses
           good
           pleasure
           appoints
           them
           ;
           which
           I
           hope
           none
           of
           them
           will
           be
           so
           impudent
           to
           say
           you
           are
           obliged
           to
           do
           ,
           Brother
           ,
           except
           it
           be
           such
           as
           hold
           the
           mad
           Doctrine
           of
           Popes
           having
           power
           to
           depose
           Princes
           .
           For
           though
           the
           other
           doth
           not
           sound
           so
           ill
           ,
           yet
           is
           it
           in
           effect
           the
           same
           ;
           for
           to
           be
           able
           to
           command
           a
           Princes
           Subjects
           out
           of
           his
           Dominions
           ,
           doth
           imply
           a
           power
           of
           leaving
           him
           none
           there
           ,
           which
           would
           produce
           an
           effectual
           deposing
           of
           him
           in
           the
           end
           .
        
         
           Another
           considerable
           difference
           between
           Lay
           Catholicks
           and
           Missionary
           Priests
           in
           this
           Kingdom
           ,
           arises
           from
           the
           ones
           having
           Estates
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           none
           .
           For
           no
           body
           can
           blame
           the
           last
           sort
           of
           Gentlemen
           to
           desire
           their
           power
           over
           the
           Consciences
           of
           the
           other
           should
           be
           as
           far
           extended
           as
           might
           be
           ,
           if
           one
           consult
           ,
           as
           most
           of
           mankind
           does
           ,
           their
           private
           interest
           .
           Alas
           ,
           what
           is
           it
           to
           Mr.
           Politick
           your
           Ghostly
           Father
           ,
           that
           you
           shall
           lose
           by
           your
           Conviction
           2000
           l.
           a
           year
           ?
           his
           Allowance
           will
           be
           never
           the
           less
           ,
           he
           knows
           ,
           but
           his
           power
           will
           be
           much
           more
           .
           For
           in
           the
           first
           place
           ,
           that
           is
           a
           sure
           sign
           you
           are
           as
           firmly
           resolved
           to
           live
           and
           die
           a
           Catholick
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           saw
           you
           at
           the
           stake
           to
           receive
           Martyrdom
           for
           it
           .
           Do
           you
           think
           after
           that
           he
           will
           not
           take
           upon
           him
           to
           direct
           you
           what
           Servants
           it
           is
           proper
           you
           keep
           ,
           how
           many
           Horses
           ,
           and
           when
           you
           may
           use
           them
           for
           recreation
           ,
           and
           when
           not
           ?
           At
           what
           hour
           Mass
           shall
           be
           ,
           and
           what
           is
           the
           critical
           minute
           for
           Dinner
           ,
           Supper
           ,
           and
           Bed-time
           in
           a
           well
           ordered
           House
           ?
           If
           I
           had
           not
           seen
           
           the
           domineering
           Domine's
           extend
           their
           spiritual
           Dominion
           in
           a
           devout
           Family
           ,
           much
           beyond
           these
           small
           matters
           ,
           I
           would
           have
           been
           silent
           ;
           but
           Heaven
           knows
           ,
           and
           so
           do
           you
           ,
           Brother
           ,
           that
           in
           such
           Popish
           Families
           ,
           where
           the
           Hen
           crows
           ,
           these
           are
           but
           the
           least
           of
           their
           insolencies
           :
           For
           such
           Women
           as
           are
           very
           ill-natur'd
           to
           their
           Husbands
           ,
           and
           perhaps
           something
           ugly
           ,
           have
           little
           to
           imploy
           their
           time
           in
           but
           Masses
           ,
           Litanies
           .
           Rosaries
           ,
           Jesus
           Psalters
           ,
           and
           Juniper-Lectures
           ;
           and
           these
           are
           generally
           great
           Friends
           of
           the
           Priests
           ,
           with
           whom
           they
           share
           the
           Dominion
           of
           the
           Hen-peckt
           Gentleman
           ,
           till
           poor
           man
           he
           is
           glad
           to
           make
           the
           Confessaries
           an
           Advocate
           to
           his
           devout
           Bed
           fellow
           for
           a
           Play-day
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           have
           leave
           to
           meet
           some
           few
           Neighbours
           to
           dust
           a
           stand
           of
           Ale
           ,
           which
           he
           wishes
           may
           prove
           bottomless
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           not
           be
           forc't
           to
           return
           again
           to
           keep
           company
           by
           stealth
           with
           his
           Fellow-servant
           the
           Steward
           in
           his
           own
           Cellar
           ,
           where
           he
           bribes
           the
           Butler
           with
           a
           stollen
           Tester
           to
           keep
           counsel
           .
        
         
           Now
           in
           this
           condition
           ,
           dear
           Brother
           ,
           on
           my
           next
           Visit
           I
           expect
           to
           find
           you
           .
           By
           that
           time
           I
           suppose
           all
           things
           will
           be
           put
           in
           due
           discipline
           in
           your
           Houshold
           ,
           where
           ,
           no
           doubt
           ,
           I
           shall
           be
           welcom'd
           with
           
           Friday-Fares
           ,
           and
           new
           appointed
           Fasting-days
           for
           my
           Conversion
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           driving
           me
           out
           of
           doors
           again
           ;
           but
           be
           it
           as
           it
           will
           ,
           I
           cannot
           for
           bear
           telling
           you
           ,
           that
           the
           Priests
           ,
           who
           have
           nothing
           to
           lose
           ,
           will
           animate
           you
           by
           false
           pretences
           to
           incur
           the
           Sequestration
           that
           will
           suddenly
           succeed
           your
           late
           Conviction
           ,
           whereby
           they
           will
           confirm
           their
           yet
           doubtful
           Tyranny
           over
           your
           Conscience
           ,
           and
           then
           see
           what
           will
           follow
           .
           Besides
           the
           loss
           of
           that
           goes
           into
           the
           Exchequer
           ,
           you
           will
           find
           a
           
           strange
           growing
           charge
           for
           Indulgences
           ,
           Masses
           for
           your
           Grandfathers
           ,
           Fathers
           ,
           Brothers
           ,
           Sisters
           ,
           and
           all
           your
           departed
           Relations
           Souls
           .
           Nay
           ,
           if
           I
           should
           be
           so
           unkind
           to
           you
           as
           to
           die
           too
           ,
           't
           is
           not
           twice
           my
           Annuity
           would
           pay
           for
           all
           the
           conditional
           Masses
           they
           would
           say
           were
           absolutely
           necessary
           for
           my
           terribly
           to
           be
           doubted
           Soul.
           Alas
           ,
           Brother
           ,
           you
           cannot
           consider
           what
           a
           chargeable
           thing
           devotion
           in
           our
           Religion
           is
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           accompanied
           with
           visible
           ignorance
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           Priest
           once
           know
           the
           blind
           side
           ,
           all
           goes
           ,
           and
           there
           is
           no
           sign
           of
           it
           neither
           ,
           the
           Jesuits
           having
           a
           bottomless
           Bag
           ,
           into
           which
           they
           throw
           all
           they
           ever
           have
           or
           shall
           get
           from
           the
           foolish
           Penitents
           of
           their
           Order
           .
        
         
           I
           could
           ,
           nay
           would
           ,
           and
           if
           provoked
           ,
           will
           name
           several
           particular
           Cheats
           acted
           by
           the
           Fathers
           of
           the
           Society
           on
           devout
           Catholicks
           that
           were
           their
           Penitents
           ,
           and
           had
           good
           Estates
           ,
           but
           were
           almost
           undone
           by
           them
           in
           these
           late
           times
           .
           But
           I
           am
           as
           loth
           to
           scandalize
           them
           ,
           as
           I
           am
           sure
           they
           will
           think
           me
           by
           this
           Paper
           willing
           to
           do
           it
           :
           and
           therefore
           I
           shall
           omit
           mentioning
           any
           of
           them
           particularly
           ,
           especially
           to
           you
           who
           I
           know
           are
           sensible
           of
           some
           of
           them
           your self
           .
           But
           leaving
           all
           these
           particulars
           ,
           or
           any
           thing
           else
           that
           may
           too
           much
           reflect
           ,
           I
           will
           return
           to
           the
           matter
           in
           hand
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           lawfulness
           of
           going
           to
           Church
           ,
           whatsoever
           they
           or
           any
           of
           their
           Predecessors
           have
           ,
           or
           can
           say
           to
           the
           contrary
           .
        
         
           I
           think
           I
           have
           made
           it
           plain
           ,
           that
           neither
           the
           Popes
           Commands
           ,
           Scandal
           ,
           sign
           of
           Faith
           ,
           want
           of
           Opportunity
           to
           be
           satisfied
           in
           the
           scruples
           Sermons
           might
           raise
           ,
           nor
           the
           fear
           of
           some
           future
           Test
           ,
           can
           oblige
           any
           Lay
           Catholick
           to
           disobey
           the
           Law
           by
           Recusancy
           :
           But
           
           rather
           notwithstanding
           these
           Priestly
           Inventions
           ,
           they
           are
           all
           obliged
           in
           Conscience
           to
           go
           to
           Church
           ,
           as
           long
           as
           the
           Magistrates
           ,
           who
           gives
           vigour
           to
           the
           Law
           ,
           requires
           it
           .
           Now
           I
           will
           a
           little
           touch
           upon
           those
           things
           that
           the
           Law
           farther
           requires
           to
           be
           done
           by
           Lay
           persons
           ,
           not
           seeking
           Imployments
           ,
           and
           so
           leave
           you
           afterterwards
           ,
           Brother
           ,
           to
           your
           prayers
           and
           tears
           ,
           that
           God
           would
           turn
           the
           hearts
           of
           the
           Rulers
           ,
           if
           you
           shall
           still
           obstinately
           persist
           in
           your
           resolution
           of
           rather
           suffering
           in
           a
           crowd
           without
           reason
           ,
           than
           save
           your self
           by
           it
           .
        
         
           First
           then
           ,
           let
           us
           consider
           the
           Oath
           of
           Allegiance
           ,
           against
           the
           taking
           of
           which
           there
           want
           not
           numbers
           of
           Jesuits
           and
           Priests
           that
           do
           exclaim
           ,
           nor
           many
           Catholicks
           that
           thereupon
           fear
           to
           take
           it
           ,
           though
           as
           King
           James
           well
           observed
           in
           the
           compiling
           it
           ,
           there
           was
           particular
           care
           taken
           as
           well
           by
           himself
           as
           others
           ,
           that
           there
           might
           not
           be
           one
           word
           in
           it
           ,
           which
           might
           raise
           a
           scruple
           in
           a
           person
           willing
           to
           obey
           the
           Civil
           Magistrate
           .
        
         
           Yet
           notwithstanding
           ,
           this
           is
           so
           certainly
           true
           ,
           that
           I
           never
           yet
           could
           meet
           with
           one
           rational
           Argument
           against
           any
           sentence
           ,
           word
           ,
           or
           syllable
           in
           it
           (
           except
           such
           as
           were
           grounded
           on
           that
           ,
           not
           only
           Heretical
           ,
           but
           Diabolical
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           Popes
           having
           power
           to
           depose
           Princes
           )
           notwithstanding
           this
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           yet
           had
           and
           have
           the
           Missionaries
           such
           full
           dependence
           on
           the
           Court
           of
           Rome
           ,
           that
           a
           great
           part
           of
           them
           ,
           but
           especially
           the
           Jesuits
           and
           their
           Devotes
           did
           always
           both
           then
           and
           lately
           strive
           to
           raise
           scruples
           in
           the
           Consciences
           of
           the
           more
           confiding
           sort
           of
           Lay
           Papists
           ,
           to
           hinder
           them
           from
           taking
           it
           ;
           by
           that
           means
           striving
           as
           
           much
           as
           in
           them
           lay
           ,
           to
           keep
           some
           ready
           for
           the
           execution
           of
           any
           desperate
           Attempt
           they
           might
           have
           opportunity
           to
           design
           upon
           the
           State.
           
        
         
           Now
           ,
           Brother
           ,
           I
           desire
           you
           would
           not
           take
           me
           to
           be
           too
           uncharitable
           in
           this
           assertion
           of
           mine
           .
           For
           to
           what
           purpose
           else
           should
           they
           strive
           to
           deter
           men
           from
           taking
           an
           Oath
           ,
           the
           refusal
           whereof
           is
           of
           the
           direst
           consequence
           ,
           both
           to
           Life
           and
           Estate
           ,
           and
           yet
           wherein
           there
           is
           not
           the
           least
           thing
           contrary
           to
           Religion
           ,
           except
           the
           renouncing
           all
           rebellious
           designs
           be
           such
           ?
           I
           wish
           with
           all
           my
           heart
           I
           could
           frame
           some
           other
           less
           reflecting
           excuse
           ,
           both
           for
           those
           Persons
           of
           Quality
           and
           lesser
           persons
           sake
           ,
           that
           have
           formerly
           and
           very
           lately
           by
           their
           insinuations
           ,
           not
           only
           scrupled
           ,
           but
           too
           notoriously
           refused
           giving
           the
           Kingdom
           that
           small
           satisfaction
           of
           their
           future
           Loyalty
           by
           taking
           it
           ;
           but
           I
           fear
           it
           is
           impossible
           .
        
         
           Now
           what
           in
           the
           name
           of
           wonder
           can
           the
           meaning
           be
           ,
           that
           when
           the
           Law
           ,
           Religion
           ,
           Reason
           it self
           ,
           and
           the
           Example
           of
           many
           noble
           ,
           many
           wise
           ,
           many
           devout
           ,
           many
           ,
           nay
           most
           zealous
           Catholicks
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           's
           readiness
           to
           take
           it
           ,
           should
           concur
           to
           perswade
           all
           to
           do
           it
           ,
           yet
           that
           there
           should
           be
           still
           a
           Party
           so
           led
           away
           by
           the
           dogmatical
           Authority
           of
           the
           Jesuits
           ,
           that
           without
           shewing
           a
           reason
           ,
           dare
           boldly
           affirm
           it
           not
           lawful
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           ,
           as
           a
           strong
           Argument
           ,
           adding
           a
           forc't
           sigh
           ,
           with
           a
           Miserere
           for
           those
           that
           do
           take
           it
           ?
           I
           say
           that
           there
           should
           be
           still
           such
           a
           Party
           amongst
           us
           ,
           that
           on
           no
           better
           grounds
           have
           ,
           and
           do
           refuse
           so
           justifiable
           and
           necessary
           an
           Oath
           ,
           is
           not
           only
           a
           great
           wonder
           ,
           but
           a
           terrible
           scandal
           to
           all
           those
           of
           a
           contrary
           Religion
           .
        
         
         
           They
           no
           doubt
           (
           and
           it
           may
           be
           not
           without
           Justice
           )
           do
           believe
           there
           wants
           only
           opportunity
           for
           Catholicks
           to
           renew
           all
           those
           bloody
           Stratagems
           against
           the
           State
           the
           Predecessors
           of
           the
           Refusers
           of
           that
           Oath
           did
           unsuccessfully
           attempt
           ,
           though
           we
           in
           our
           private
           discourses
           do
           never
           so
           much
           pretend
           to
           abhor
           them
           .
        
         
           For
           when
           they
           reflect
           ,
           that
           few
           or
           none
           of
           us
           but
           hold
           the
           Pope
           can
           absolve
           us
           from
           any
           Oath
           we
           have
           or
           can
           take
           ,
           and
           that
           many
           of
           us
           resolve
           not
           to
           stand
           in
           need
           of
           that
           ,
           but
           to
           refuse
           all
           Oaths
           that
           should
           oblige
           us
           to
           the
           performance
           of
           our
           duty
           to
           the
           King
           ;
           how
           can
           such
           ,
           not
           having
           any
           violent
           propensity
           of
           love
           to
           us
           ,
           but
           believe
           that
           there
           is
           some
           damnable
           design
           lockt
           up
           in
           the
           breasts
           of
           such
           Refusers
           ,
           in
           which
           the
           others
           may
           close
           when
           it
           is
           ripe
           ,
           there
           being
           no
           more
           hold
           of
           them
           than
           of
           a
           wet
           Eel
           by
           the
           tail
           ,
           since
           an
           absolving
           Bull
           upon
           the
           Gates
           ,
           or
           for
           a
           need
           on
           the
           ruines
           of
           Pauls
           ,
           makes
           the
           Government
           and
           us
           as
           much
           strangers
           ,
           as
           if
           we
           never
           had
           seen
           one
           the
           other
           ?
        
         
           Now
           I
           protest
           ,
           when
           I
           have
           seriously
           reflected
           on
           ancient
           Popish
           Plots
           ,
           on
           some
           sorts
           of
           Tenets
           ,
           which
           we
           almost
           think
           Catholick
           ,
           as
           this
           of
           the
           Popes
           Power
           of
           Absolving
           from
           Oaths
           ,
           which
           Protestants
           believe
           ,
           nay
           and
           some
           Catholicks
           too
           ,
           means
           from
           Allegiance
           ,
           and
           on
           the
           obstinacy
           of
           us
           to
           refuse
           the
           Commands
           of
           the
           Law
           in
           things
           indifferent
           ;
           I
           say
           ,
           when
           I
           have
           reflected
           on
           these
           things
           without
           the
           prejudice
           given
           me
           by
           my
           Education
           ,
           I
           have
           wondred
           the
           Laws
           against
           us
           have
           not
           been
           more
           severe
           than
           they
           are
           ,
           nay
           that
           they
           almost
           suffered
           a
           people
           ,
           of
           whom
           they
           could
           have
           no
           more
           certainty
           in
           State-affairs
           ,
           and
           so
           apparently
           declared
           humble
           Servants
           to
           a
           Foreign
           Authority
           ,
           to
           live
           at
           all
           amongst
           them
           .
        
         
         
           Now
           ,
           Brother
           ,
           I
           will
           not
           at
           all
           dispute
           the
           lawfulness
           in
           Religion
           to
           take
           the
           Oath
           of
           Allegiance
           ,
           since
           I
           know
           you
           have
           taken
           it
           ,
           and
           are
           not
           yet
           so
           absolutely
           bigotted
           to
           the
           Obedience
           of
           the
           spiritual
           Commands
           of
           your
           Ghostly
           Tyrant
           ,
           but
           that
           you
           be
           ready
           on
           requiring
           to
           do
           it
           again
           ;
           so
           that
           a
           discourse
           of
           that
           nature
           would
           be
           needless
           to
           you
           .
           But
           for
           all
           that
           ,
           I
           will
           a
           little
           glance
           on
           that
           Proposition
           so
           generally
           accepted
           of
           ,
           the
           Popes
           having
           power
           to
           absolve
           at
           pleasure
           any
           person
           from
           an
           Oath
           he
           hath
           taken
           .
        
         
           Now
           that
           he
           has
           undertook
           to
           do
           this
           ,
           is
           beyond
           contradiction
           ,
           and
           that
           several
           changes
           and
           revolutions
           in
           Affairs
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           both
           private
           and
           publick
           ,
           have
           thereupon
           happened
           ,
           is
           as
           plain
           .
           But
           by
           what
           Authority
           he
           at
           first
           assumed
           that
           Power
           ,
           I
           believe
           is
           not
           ,
           and
           may
           be
           worth
           a
           rational
           Catholicks
           inquiring
           after
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           the
           better
           know
           how
           with
           a
           good
           Conscience
           (
           that
           will
           hold
           test
           before
           the
           Popes
           Superiour
           at
           the
           last
           Tryal
           )
           to
           demean
           himself
           in
           a
           Country
           ,
           whose
           Magistrates
           are
           of
           another
           Religion
           .
        
         
           Now
           as
           a
           step
           towards
           this
           matter
           ,
           I
           will
           beg
           leave
           of
           his
           Holiness
           to
           believe
           there
           were
           men
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           Governments
           too
           ,
           before
           there
           were
           Popes
           ;
           and
           that
           there
           were
           too
           amongst
           them
           certain
           Moral
           Rules
           ,
           by
           which
           they
           began
           ,
           continued
           ,
           and
           increased
           in
           the
           World.
           Now
           no
           doubt
           amongst
           many
           others
           there
           were
           solemn
           Compacts
           confirmed
           by
           overt
           Acts
           ,
           which
           they
           accounted
           Sacred
           ;
           and
           whosoever
           ,
           after
           having
           entred
           into
           such
           Holy
           obligations
           ,
           did
           violently
           break
           them
           ,
           were
           by
           the
           rest
           of
           mankind
           either
           extirpated
           ,
           if
           dangerous
           ,
           or
           despised
           ,
           
           and
           never
           more
           trusted
           ,
           if
           weakly
           so
           perjur'd
           .
        
         
           Now
           it
           will
           as
           certainly
           follow
           ,
           that
           new
           Accidents
           and
           Revolutions
           in
           Common-wealths
           or
           Families
           ,
           might
           make
           it
           morally
           necessary
           ,
           that
           the
           obligations
           lying
           upon
           one
           or
           many
           persons
           therein
           ,
           by
           such
           sacred
           tyes
           ,
           ought
           to
           be
           broke
           for
           the
           safety
           it
           is
           possible
           of
           the
           whole
           .
           An
           observation
           of
           which
           Mankind
           soon
           found
           out
           Methods
           to
           distinguish
           persons
           so
           necessarily
           acting
           against
           those
           sacred
           tyes
           which
           we
           call
           Oaths
           ,
           from
           such
           as
           wilfully
           despised
           them
           ;
           That
           the
           first
           sort
           ,
           though
           breaking
           their
           Vows
           literally
           ,
           might
           be
           kept
           from
           the
           scandal
           and
           punishment
           of
           Covenant-breakers
           ,
           whilst
           the
           last
           should
           remain
           still
           under
           the
           lash
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           or
           contempt
           of
           their
           fellow
           Creatures
           .
        
         
           Humane
           Nature
           falling
           necessarily
           under
           these
           circumstances
           ,
           it
           was
           requisite
           to
           appoint
           or
           agree
           upon
           some
           Judgment
           ,
           which
           should
           be
           absolute
           in
           the
           point
           of
           determining
           when
           men
           were
           perjur'd
           by
           breaking
           their
           Vows
           ,
           and
           when
           not
           ,
           to
           which
           persons
           naturally
           would
           have
           recourse
           before
           they
           attempted
           the
           doing
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           Now
           these
           Compacts
           ,
           Oaths
           ,
           or
           Vows
           were
           usually
           either
           in
           Temples
           ,
           with
           the
           assistance
           of
           the
           sacred
           Ministers
           made
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           sworn
           by
           the
           Deity
           or
           Deities
           ,
           to
           which
           such
           people
           were
           devoted
           ;
           and
           therefore
           Consultations
           concerning
           the
           necessity
           of
           altering
           those
           Resolutions
           ,
           were
           usually
           had
           with
           the
           chiefest
           of
           those
           Heavenly
           Officers
           :
           and
           for
           this
           reason
           amongst
           some
           ,
           other
           Princes
           of
           large
           Kingdoms
           did
           in
           ancient
           time
           keep
           the
           chief
           Celestial
           Character
           united
           to
           the
           Regal
           .
        
         
         
           For
           Experience
           shewed
           ,
           that
           men
           naturally
           seeking
           liberty
           ,
           began
           to
           pervert
           that
           obligation
           which
           Nature
           taught
           ,
           of
           omitting
           the
           performance
           of
           Vows
           ,
           extremely
           prejudicial
           to
           society
           ,
           into
           a
           belief
           ,
           that
           there
           resided
           a
           power
           in
           these
           Spiritual
           Judges
           of
           the
           necessity
           absolutely
           to
           absolve
           at
           their
           discretion
           any
           person
           they
           pleased
           :
           So
           quickly
           the
           one
           through
           ambition
           of
           having
           such
           an
           Authority
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           finding
           a
           convenience
           to
           satisfie
           their
           loose
           appetites
           ,
           if
           they
           bribed
           the
           Possessors
           of
           this
           Divine
           good
           pleasure
           ,
           did
           almost
           acquiesce
           in
           this
           unreasonable
           belief
           ,
           that
           there
           was
           a
           Power
           delegated
           from
           Heaven
           to
           certain
           men
           ,
           which
           made
           them
           Gods
           below
           :
           And
           that
           such
           persons
           had
           a
           power
           to
           make
           that
           at
           their
           good
           pleasure
           no
           sin
           ,
           which
           in
           it self
           ,
           if
           there
           be
           any
           good
           thing
           or
           bad
           ,
           must
           naturally
           be
           so
           .
        
         
           This
           indeed
           was
           the
           general
           practice
           of
           the
           ancient
           World
           before
           Christianity
           ;
           insomuch
           that
           Moses
           the
           most
           Divine
           Law-giver
           amongst
           them
           ,
           did
           take
           it
           to
           himself
           ,
           though
           he
           is
           far
           from
           being
           commended
           for
           it
           by
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           when
           he
           speaks
           of
           the
           Jewish
           Priviledge
           or
           general
           Dispensation
           from
           one
           natural
           Oath
           ,
           which
           is
           Marriage
           ,
           that
           Moses
           was
           pleased
           ,
           by
           virtue
           of
           this
           Authority
           he
           assumed
           to
           himself
           ,
           to
           leave
           to
           that
           whole
           Nation
           .
        
         
           For
           our
           Saviour
           plainly
           says
           ,
           this
           Power
           did
           not
           come
           from
           God
           ,
           but
           was
           assumed
           by
           Moses
           for
           the
           hardness
           of
           their
           hearts
           ,
           and
           that
           all
           that
           Dispensation
           notwithstanding
           to
           put
           away
           a
           Wife
           ,
           except
           for
           the
           case
           of
           Adultery
           (
           which
           seems
           a
           natural
           dissolution
           of
           the
           compact
           )
           was
           a
           sin
           .
        
         
         
           So
           that
           I
           conclude
           :
           Our
           Saviour
           who
           had
           almost
           as
           much
           Authority
           as
           the
           Pope
           ,
           never
           did
           pretend
           to
           any
           like
           that
           of
           making
           things
           in
           their
           own
           natures
           sinful
           ,
           to
           become
           none
           ;
           but
           taught
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           not
           in
           the
           power
           of
           Moses
           ,
           nor
           any
           man
           else
           to
           do
           it
           .
        
         
           Then
           let
           us
           descend
           to
           times
           succeeding
           that
           fulness
           of
           it
           which
           produced
           the
           Redemption
           of
           Mankind
           .
           S.
           Paul
           teaches
           sufficiently
           the
           necessity
           of
           keeping
           Vows
           ;
           and
           I
           do
           not
           find
           his
           Holinesses
           Predecessor
           S
           Peter
           very
           frequent
           with
           his
           Dispensations
           .
           But
           leaving
           them
           ,
           and
           hastening
           to
           those
           Ages
           ,
           in
           which
           through
           the
           Piety
           of
           Christian
           Emperours
           ,
           the
           Popes
           had
           arrived
           to
           a
           competency
           of
           temporal
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           plentitude
           of
           Spiritual
           Authority
           in
           the
           World
           ;
           We
           do
           not
           find
           for
           some
           Ages
           after
           ,
           that
           though
           several
           Emperours
           turned
           Arrian
           ,
           any
           Pope
           pretended
           to
           an
           Authority
           of
           dispensing
           their
           Subjects
           from
           the
           Oaths
           of
           Fidelity
           they
           had
           taken
           to
           them
           .
        
         
           But
           it
           is
           possible
           some
           may
           ,
           and
           not
           impertinently
           ,
           answer
           ,
           There
           was
           then
           scarce
           such
           a
           thing
           in
           the
           World
           as
           an
           Oath
           of
           Allegiance
           ;
           therefore
           Dispensations
           from
           what
           were
           not
           in
           being
           ,
           could
           not
           be
           expected
           .
        
         
           To
           this
           I
           assent
           ,
           and
           do
           well
           know
           Christian
           Religion
           in
           its
           Primitive
           Innocency
           taught
           obedience
           from
           the
           Laws
           of
           Nature
           ,
           which
           some
           called
           Conscience
           ,
           and
           did
           not
           suppose
           any
           persons
           truly
           toucht
           with
           its
           divine
           Doctrines
           ,
           could
           need
           any
           other
           obligation
           to
           perform
           their
           duties
           either
           to
           God
           or
           their
           Neighbour
           ,
           than
           what
           their
           sacred
           Initiating
           Vow
           of
           Baptism
           laid
           upon
           them
           .
           And
           so
           far
           I
           believe
           the
           Quakers
           ,
           not
           without
           a
           true
           hint
           ,
           that
           they
           needed
           one
           
           amongst
           another
           no
           other
           affirmations
           but
           Yea
           and
           Nay
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           guided
           their
           Conversations
           by
           the
           true
           Rule
           Nature
           had
           taught
           them
           ,
           which
           the
           Quakers
           call
           the
           Light
           within
           them
           .
        
         
           But
           when
           Religion
           became
           National
           ,
           and
           that
           many
           wicked
           people
           took
           the
           name
           of
           Christianity
           more
           for
           worldly
           than
           heavenly
           advantage
           ,
           then
           were
           they
           forced
           to
           have
           recourse
           to
           new
           sort
           of
           solemn
           Oaths
           ,
           taken
           either
           in
           Publick
           Churches
           ,
           where
           Kings
           did
           likewise
           condescend
           to
           take
           new
           invented
           Coronation
           Oaths
           ,
           and
           the
           People
           Oaths
           of
           Subjection
           in
           return
           .
           In
           the
           management
           of
           which
           Ceremony
           ,
           the
           Bishops
           were
           the
           chief
           Officers
           ,
           which
           by
           degrees
           hankt
           a
           great
           respect
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           they
           not
           a
           little
           ambitious
           of
           more
           ,
           taught
           the
           dependency
           of
           Subjects
           and
           Princes
           one
           upon
           the
           other
           ,
           not
           to
           be
           from
           the
           Laws
           of
           Nature
           ,
           but
           from
           these
           Compacts
           ,
           which
           their
           Authority
           and
           nothing
           else
           could
           make
           Sacred
           .
        
         
           These
           dangerous
           Tenets
           Princes
           not
           only
           at
           first
           connived
           at
           ,
           but
           made
           use
           of
           .
           For
           the
           greatest
           part
           of
           the
           World
           being
           then
           shifting
           Subjection
           from
           the
           Roman
           Empire
           to
           native
           or
           more
           neighbouring
           Dominions
           ,
           was
           shatter'd
           into
           petty
           Regencies
           ;
           so
           that
           the
           Bishops
           ,
           who
           preserved
           a
           kind
           of
           Unity
           of
           their
           distinct
           Authorities
           in
           that
           of
           the
           Roman
           Sees
           ,
           had
           a
           greater
           power
           over
           the
           common
           peoples
           minds
           ,
           than
           those
           Kings
           of
           Counties
           had
           .
           So
           that
           indeed
           Dominion
           was
           often
           transferred
           from
           lawful
           Princes
           that
           durst
           stomach
           these
           spiritual
           Usurpations
           ,
           to
           Usurpers
           that
           would
           truckle
           to
           the
           Clergy
           for
           their
           good
           word
           to
           prefer
           them
           .
        
         
           Thus
           all
           things
           becoming
           again
           as
           in
           the
           first
           corruruption
           
           of
           humane
           Nature
           ,
           where
           every
           body
           were
           forced
           to
           secure
           themselves
           from
           violence
           and
           oppression
           by
           obligations
           ,
           they
           believed
           most
           sacred
           Oaths
           invented
           or
           formed
           by
           Popes
           and
           other
           Bishops
           became
           the
           Method
           ;
           which
           when
           there
           was
           a
           necessity
           of
           breaking
           ,
           then
           they
           were
           consulted
           with
           as
           persons
           best
           able
           to
           judge
           of
           that
           necessity
           ,
           and
           above
           all
           of
           them
           the
           Pope
           ,
           as
           the
           most
           eminent
           ,
           and
           then
           thought
           most
           disinterested
           Bishop
           ,
           he
           being
           well
           provided
           for
           in
           Temporalties
           ,
           and
           very
           much
           eased
           from
           such
           entire
           subjection
           to
           the
           Civil
           Magistrate
           ,
           as
           other
           Bishops
           in
           particular
           still
           remained
           under
           ;
           so
           from
           an
           unprejudiced
           assistant
           to
           Conscience
           ,
           he
           by
           frequency
           of
           Addresses
           became
           at
           length
           an
           Umpire
           ,
           then
           in
           a
           manner
           sole
           Judge
           of
           what
           Oaths
           or
           Compacts
           remained
           sacred
           ,
           and
           what
           by
           contingencies
           ceased
           to
           be
           obligatory
           .
           So
           by
           degrees
           ,
           as
           naturally
           all
           men
           aspire
           after
           Power
           ,
           he
           took
           upon
           him
           to
           give
           ,
           and
           the
           World
           accepted
           from
           him
           of
           course
           Dispensations
           from
           any
           Vows
           were
           troublesom
           either
           to
           their
           affairs
           or
           appetites
           ;
           and
           it
           may
           be
           ,
           if
           he
           could
           have
           stopt
           here
           ,
           the
           World
           and
           most
           Princes
           in
           it
           would
           have
           been
           contented
           still
           to
           have
           made
           use
           of
           this
           impossible
           Power
           he
           had
           assumed
           ;
           but
           at
           last
           they
           flew
           to
           such
           Practices
           ,
           as
           disturbed
           ,
           nay
           destroyed
           their
           own
           Soveraign
           ,
           the
           Emperours
           that
           opposed
           their
           insolencies
           ,
           and
           attempted
           no
           less
           against
           most
           Christian
           Kingdoms
           :
           nay
           to
           such
           a
           height
           were
           they
           arrived
           ,
           that
           few
           Kingdoms
           but
           must
           owne
           they
           did
           at
           one
           time
           or
           other
           receive
           a
           new
           Race
           of
           Kings
           from
           their
           appointment
           .
           And
           though
           several
           of
           them
           ,
           as
           particularly
           this
           Kingdom
           ,
           have
           by
           Gods
           Providence
           received
           
           again
           their
           natural
           Princes
           ,
           yet
           was
           it
           long
           first
           ,
           and
           perhaps
           not
           truly
           in
           this
           Nation
           ,
           till
           King
           
           James's
           assuming
           the
           Crown
           .
           But
           this
           excess
           ,
           as
           well
           in
           their
           extention
           ,
           as
           execution
           of
           their
           usurp't
           Authority
           ,
           alarm'd
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           put
           that
           upon
           new
           Consultations
           for
           its
           safety
           against
           a
           Power
           which
           pretended
           to
           the
           deposing
           of
           Princes
           ,
           and
           alteration
           of
           Governments
           ,
           without
           so
           fair
           a
           warning
           as
           the
           beat
           of
           Drum.
           This
           produced
           our
           Statute
           of
           Praemunire
           against
           any
           person
           that
           should
           bring
           a
           Bull
           from
           Rome
           ,
           and
           that
           as
           early
           as
           Richard
           the
           Second's
           days
           ,
           wherein
           it
           is
           likewise
           provided
           ,
           That
           if
           any
           Nuntio
           ,
           Legate
           ,
           &c.
           should
           presume
           to
           set
           foot
           in
           this
           Nation
           on
           a
           Message
           from
           the
           Pope
           ,
           without
           having
           first
           procured
           the
           Kings
           Licence
           ,
           he
           should
           be
           proceeded
           against
           as
           an
           Enemy
           to
           the
           State.
           
        
         
           This
           and
           many
           other
           Laws
           of
           the
           like
           kind
           made
           both
           in
           this
           Nation
           and
           other
           Kingdoms
           about
           those
           times
           ,
           sufficiently
           shew
           how
           weary
           and
           afraid
           the
           Catholick
           World
           were
           grown
           of
           the
           Popes
           Pride
           and
           Usurpations
           .
        
         
           But
           to
           return
           to
           the
           matter
           :
           If
           we
           will
           be
           so
           foolish
           to
           allow
           all
           things
           may
           lawfully
           be
           done
           ,
           that
           have
           successfully
           been
           so
           ,
           then
           the
           Popes
           have
           not
           only
           a
           Power
           to
           absolve
           all
           persons
           from
           their
           Oaths
           and
           Compacts
           ,
           but
           likewise
           to
           alter
           the
           Government
           of
           Nations
           ,
           and
           dispense
           to
           Subjects
           their
           natural
           obediences
           to
           their
           lawful
           Soveraigns
           ,
           which
           are
           Tenets
           few
           Roman
           Catholicks
           in
           the
           World
           do
           hold
           to
           the
           full
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           do
           ,
           it
           is
           pity
           should
           be
           suffered
           to
           breathe
           any
           Air
           in
           safety
           but
           that
           of
           S.
           
             John's
             de
             Lateran
          
           ,
           or
           the
           Vatican
           .
        
         
         
           But
           not
           to
           leave
           the
           matter
           fully
           as
           I
           found
           it
           upon
           doubtful
           Suppositions
           ,
           whether
           they
           have
           any
           Authority
           or
           no
           to
           dispense
           with
           any
           sort
           of
           Vows
           whatsoever
           ,
           I
           will
           proceed
           to
           divide
           all
           sorts
           of
           Oaths
           in
           the
           World
           under
           these
           three
           several
           kinds
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           Oaths
           to
           declare
           ones
           assent
           ,
           or
           to
           strengthen
           ones
           duty
           in
           performance
           of
           such
           things
           as
           the
           Law
           imprinted
           in
           every
           rational
           Soul
           does
           require
           ,
           should
           however
           be
           done
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           Oaths
           of
           Compact
           between
           Prince
           and
           Prince
           ,
           State
           and
           State
           ,
           or
           private
           person
           and
           private
           person
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           Voluntary
           Vows
           or
           Oaths
           to
           perform
           some
           Religious
           exercise
           or
           function
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           Under
           these
           three
           Heads
           I
           conceive
           all
           Oaths
           that
           have
           ever
           seemed
           to
           need
           or
           require
           Dispensation
           ,
           do
           fall
           .
           As
           from
           Oaths
           in
           Evidence
           ,
           those
           come
           not
           under
           our
           consideration
           .
        
         
           Now
           in
           the
           first
           kind
           ,
           neither
           the
           Pope
           ,
           nor
           any
           Power
           that
           is
           ,
           or
           ever
           was
           visible
           on
           Earth
           ,
           could
           or
           can
           dispense
           ;
           for
           that
           implies
           an
           Authority
           to
           give
           leave
           to
           commit
           things
           
             malas
             in
             se
          
           ,
           and
           under
           this
           Head
           does
           clearly
           fall
           obedience
           of
           Subjects
           to
           their
           Princes
           ,
           Children
           to
           their
           Parents
           ,
           &c.
           things
           that
           ,
           if
           there
           never
           had
           been
           Religion
           ,
           would
           have
           no
           sooner
           lost
           their
           respect
           ,
           but
           humane
           Nature
           would
           have
           lost
           its
           being
           by
           running
           into
           perfect
           confusion
           ,
           which
           would
           quickly
           have
           produced
           its
           perfect
           extirpation
           .
           So
           that
           Oaths
           of
           this
           kind
           were
           not
           invented
           to
           create
           ,
           but
           to
           keep
           in
           memory
           our
           duty
           :
           And
           where
           ,
           upon
           great
           confusions
           in
           ,
           and
           alterations
           of
           a
           Common-wealth
           ,
           they
           have
           seemed
           to
           be
           otherways
           ,
           in
           such
           
           cases
           they
           will
           fall
           under
           the
           next
           Head.
           
        
         
           Which
           are
           Compacts
           ratified
           by
           Oath
           for
           mutual
           convenience
           .
           These
           no
           power
           on
           Earth
           ,
           neither
           ever
           could
           or
           had
           Authority
           to
           dispense
           with
           ,
           except
           by
           consent
           of
           all
           Parties
           to
           the
           Bargain
           or
           Agreement
           ;
           for
           to
           affirm
           the
           contrary
           ,
           would
           imply
           some
           one
           person
           still
           remaining
           in
           Mr.
           Hobbs
           State
           of
           Nature
           ,
           presiding
           over
           all
           his
           Leviathans
           ,
           who
           should
           not
           only
           have
           ▪
           a
           right
           to
           every
           thing
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           but
           to
           break
           and
           dissolve
           all
           the
           Government
           of
           it
           at
           his
           pleasure
           ,
           and
           indeed
           to
           annihilate
           humane
           Nature
           it self
           .
           But
           though
           no
           single
           person
           simply
           can
           have
           this
           Power
           of
           dispensing
           the
           performance
           of
           Compacts
           ,
           yet
           have
           the
           Compactors
           themselves
           the
           undoubted
           Right
           of
           releasing
           one
           the
           other
           without
           consultation
           of
           any
           person
           unconcerned
           in
           the
           World.
           
        
         
           Yet
           have
           Popes
           not
           only
           in
           the
           first
           ,
           but
           likewise
           in
           the
           last
           ,
           often
           put
           in
           their
           fingers
           ,
           as
           particularly
           in
           the
           Hungarians
           fatal
           breach
           of
           solemn
           Faith
           ,
           to
           the
           which
           punishment
           visibly
           showr'd
           from
           Heaven
           on
           the
           perjur'd
           Army
           ,
           owned
           by
           many
           Catholick
           Divines
           almost
           as
           miraculous
           ,
           has
           sufficiently
           evidenced
           to
           the
           World
           what
           little
           confirmation
           above
           is
           of
           such
           impious
           and
           destructive
           Dispensations
           .
           But
           when
           the
           Compactors
           themselves
           dispense
           one
           the
           other
           ,
           no
           body
           bogles
           or
           starts
           at
           the
           breach
           of
           the
           Oath
           ,
           as
           we
           see
           lately
           in
           Holland
           ,
           where
           the
           States
           General
           dispensed
           the
           Prince
           of
           Orange
           ,
           themselves
           and
           the
           Country
           of
           an
           Oath
           taken
           against
           State-Holders
           ,
           which
           I
           have
           not
           yet
           heard
           of
           any
           man
           so
           say
           was
           not
           lawful
           for
           them
           by
           mutual
           consent
           to
           do
           .
           Though
           I
           know
           ,
           had
           it
           been
           a
           Popish
           Country
           ,
           there
           would
           have
           been
           some
           
           Fees
           expected
           at
           the
           Apostolick
           Chamber
           for
           his
           Holinesses
           unnecessary
           Dispensation
           .
        
         
           Thus
           we
           see
           ,
           that
           Oaths
           in
           themselves
           dispensable
           ,
           are
           easily
           by
           the
           proper
           persons
           dispensed
           ,
           without
           the
           Authority
           of
           a
           heavenly
           Delegate
           ,
           who
           can
           never
           arrive
           to
           a
           greater
           Dominion
           rightfully
           in
           the
           matter
           ,
           than
           as
           a
           person
           whose
           discretion
           is
           proper
           to
           advise
           with
           ,
           and
           can
           only
           be
           that
           too
           to
           such
           as
           are
           pleased
           freely
           to
           think
           him
           so
           .
        
         
           But
           as
           for
           the
           last
           branch
           of
           Religious
           Vows
           ,
           the
           Author
           or
           Prescriber
           of
           the
           form
           and
           fashion
           of
           the
           thing
           to
           which
           they
           swear
           ,
           may
           have
           power
           to
           absolve
           at
           discretion
           from
           the
           performance
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           I
           will
           not
           say
           but
           in
           our
           Church
           this
           may
           be
           the
           Popes
           Province
           ,
           which
           if
           he
           pleases
           to
           keep
           within
           ,
           he
           may
           ;
           but
           if
           he
           will
           be
           still
           medling
           ,
           without
           being
           called
           ,
           with
           other
           mens
           concerns
           ,
           let
           him
           for
           me
           ;
           but
           I
           fear
           it
           will
           be
           but
           to
           very
           little
           purpose
           ;
           Kings
           and
           Governours
           being
           now
           wiser
           than
           to
           be
           over
           aw'd
           too
           much
           by
           his
           Pragmatical
           censures
           .
        
         
           Dear
           Brother
           ,
           think
           not
           I
           have
           treated
           thus
           long
           upon
           Vows
           and
           Dispensations
           to
           inform
           you
           or
           any
           man
           else
           in
           this
           Age
           ,
           who
           are
           wise
           enough
           without
           my
           help
           to
           know
           that
           all
           this
           boasted
           Power
           of
           the
           Popes
           to
           dispense
           men
           from
           Oaths
           or
           their
           Allegiance
           ,
           has
           no
           foundation
           in
           Reason
           or
           Religion
           ,
           and
           is
           only
           bolster'd
           up
           with
           Examples
           of
           the
           success
           of
           some
           former
           Bishops
           of
           Rome
           in
           their
           insolencies
           ;
           which
           way
           of
           arguing
           is
           just
           of
           the
           same
           Authority
           ,
           as
           if
           I
           should
           ,
           to
           prove
           the
           piety
           of
           High-way
           robbing
           ,
           tell
           you
           the
           story
           of
           the
           late
           famous
           Hind
           ,
           who
           living
           many
           years
           on
           that
           profession
           ,
           yet
           had
           the
           honour
           to
           dye
           for
           his
           
           Loyalty
           to
           his
           Prince
           ,
           and
           not
           as
           a
           Thief
           .
        
         
           But
           passing
           all
           these
           things
           over
           ,
           I
           do
           conclude
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           only
           lawful
           to
           take
           the
           Oath
           of
           Allegiance
           ,
           but
           to
           keep
           it
           when
           we
           have
           done
           ,
           nay
           that
           we
           are
           obliged
           to
           do
           the
           last
           under
           pain
           of
           eternal
           damnation
           ,
           let
           the
           Pope
           say
           or
           dispense
           the
           contrary
           how
           he
           please
           .
           And
           further
           I
           do
           affirm
           ,
           no
           rational
           man
           can
           prove
           the
           contrary
           sufficiently
           of
           the
           other
           Oath
           ,
           notwithstanding
           its
           Bugbear
           name
           of
           Supremacy
           .
        
         
           Nay
           now
           he
           's
           quite
           gone
           beyond
           recovery
           I
           am
           afraid
           you
           your self
           will
           say
           notwithstanding
           all
           brotherly
           affection
           ,
           and
           then
           you
           'll
           go
           on
           in
           crying
           there
           was
           some
           hopes
           of
           recovering
           me
           to
           the
           Catholick
           Religion
           ,
           whilst
           I
           only
           pleaded
           for
           going
           to
           Church
           and
           the
           Oath
           of
           Allegiance
           ,
           but
           to
           say
           it
           is
           lawful
           to
           take
           that
           horrible
           terrible
           Oath
           of
           Supremacy
           ,
           shews
           me
           a
           confirmed
           Heretick
           ,
           ready
           to
           take
           the
           Test
           on
           the
           first
           opportunity
           for
           an
           Imployment
           .
        
         
           But
           ,
           Brother
           ,
           I
           desire
           you
           to
           suspend
           your
           censure
           of
           damnation
           against
           me
           ,
           lest
           you
           prove
           as
           rash
           in
           it
           ,
           as
           the
           Pope
           was
           that
           first
           Excommunicated
           this
           whole
           Nation
           in
           Queen
           
           Elizabeth's
           time
           .
           For
           no
           doubt
           he
           and
           several
           of
           his
           Successors
           since
           have
           in
           their
           minds
           secretly
           repented
           so
           inconsiderate
           an
           act
           ,
           though
           they
           will
           not
           acknowledge
           it
           ,
           by
           taking
           off
           that
           censure
           ,
           till
           some
           previous
           Action
           of
           the
           Nation
           requires
           it
           ,
           which
           I
           am
           not
           like
           to
           live
           to
           see
           .
           My
           reason
           for
           this
           Supposition
           is
           one
           of
           the
           motives
           of
           my
           asserting
           the
           lawfulness
           for
           us
           of
           taking
           the
           Oath
           of
           Supremacy
           .
           For
           what
           reason
           can
           there
           be
           for
           our
           refusing
           to
           do
           so
           ,
           since
           he
           refuses
           all
           spiritual
           Superiority
           over
           us
           ,
           and
           the
           King
           accepts
           it
           ,
           and
           in
           these
           two
           points
           consists
           
           the
           whole
           scope
           of
           this
           Oath
           ?
           It
           requires
           me
           to
           swear
           the
           Pope
           has
           no
           Authority
           over
           this
           Kingdom
           .
           And
           if
           ▪
           I
           will
           take
           his
           own
           honest
           word
           ,
           he
           has
           not
           ,
           nor
           will
           not
           have
           .
           What
           can
           be
           better
           than
           his
           own
           most
           solemn
           Excommunication
           to
           prove
           it
           ?
        
         
           The
           next
           Point
           I
           am
           to
           swear
           ,
           is
           ,
           That
           the
           King
           is
           Head
           of
           all
           Persons
           and
           Affairs
           as
           well
           Ecclesiastical
           as
           Civil
           in
           these
           his
           Dominions
           ,
           which
           no
           person
           that
           hath
           his
           right
           wits
           I
           think
           can
           deny
           ,
           as
           the
           case
           now
           stands
           .
           For
           if
           ever
           the
           Popes
           were
           Heads
           or
           Supreme
           in
           Ecclesiastical
           Affairs
           within
           this
           Nation
           ,
           they
           have
           long
           since
           ,
           by
           an
           Act
           of
           their
           own
           as
           well
           as
           of
           the
           Nations
           ,
           ceased
           to
           be
           so
           .
           Therefore
           if
           any
           be
           ,
           it
           must
           be
           the
           King
           ,
           since
           the
           Law
           says
           so
           ;
           though
           it
           be
           worth
           inquiring
           as
           to
           this
           point
           ,
           how
           the
           Law
           means
           him
           Head
           of
           Ecclesiastical
           matters
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           I
           suppose
           it
           means
           Head
           of
           that
           Church
           and
           the
           Ecclesiastical
           Affairs
           therein
           that
           is
           established
           by
           Law.
           For
           it
           cannot
           mean
           any
           other
           ,
           since
           we
           see
           a
           power
           of
           Dispensation
           contrary
           to
           Law
           for
           the
           most
           minute
           dissenters
           ,
           to
           meet
           in
           another
           Form
           of
           serving
           God
           ,
           has
           been
           controverted
           .
           Not
           to
           say
           more
           of
           the
           point
           therefore
           :
           if
           there
           must
           be
           but
           one
           Religion
           established
           ,
           and
           no
           other
           tolerated
           ,
           then
           the
           Law
           only
           intends
           him
           Head
           of
           that
           ,
           which
           the
           Pope
           himself
           will
           not
           deny
           him
           to
           be
           .
           So
           I
           suppose
           I
           may
           lawfully
           swear
           him
           that
           ,
           which
           no
           other
           person
           ever
           did
           or
           can
           pretend
           to
           besides
           .
           Now
           this
           matter
           having
           been
           excellently
           well
           treated
           of
           and
           handled
           in
           former
           times
           by
           some
           learned
           Casuists
           ,
           when
           the
           Intention
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           in
           the
           point
           which
           commands
           the
           Oath
           ,
           was
           not
           so
           plain
           as
           the
           Law-makers
           by
           late
           passages
           seem
           
           to
           make
           it
           ;
           I
           say
           ,
           since
           many
           good
           Catholick
           Casuist
           Priests
           have
           writ
           in
           defence
           of
           the
           taking
           it
           in
           former
           times
           ,
           I
           will
           omit
           to
           press
           that
           further
           ,
           which
           to
           me
           appears
           plain
           ;
           resolving
           however
           ,
           if
           you
           shall
           send
           me
           your
           doubts
           ,
           of
           this
           or
           any
           other
           point
           discussed
           herein
           ,
           that
           I
           will
           readily
           answer
           them
           to
           the
           best
           of
           my
           skill
           ,
           being
           satisfied
           in
           my
           Conscience
           ,
           that
           I
           have
           said
           nothing
           herein
           scandalous
           to
           Catholick
           Religion
           it self
           ,
           nor
           to
           any
           one
           but
           such
           that
           make
           that
           the
           sheeps
           raiment
           for
           wolvish
           designs
           .
        
         
           So
           ,
           Brother
           ,
           once
           again
           I
           desire
           you
           to
           take
           into
           your
           serious
           consideration
           ,
           what
           it
           is
           to
           lose
           a
           good
           Estate
           ,
           not
           for
           conscience
           ,
           but
           ignorance
           ,
           to
           make
           your self
           uncapable
           of
           doing
           service
           to
           your
           Prince
           ,
           when
           there
           may
           be
           occasion
           ;
           but
           above
           all
           ,
           what
           scandal
           you
           stamp
           on
           the
           ▪
           Religion
           you
           profess
           ,
           if
           you
           obstinately
           and
           without
           reason
           shall
           persist
           in
           disobedience
           to
           every
           thing
           the
           Law
           appoints
           the
           Subjects
           of
           this
           Nation
           to
           do
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           your
           expectation
           of
           assistance
           from
           the
           King
           ,
           it
           is
           one
           of
           the
           most
           unreasonable
           things
           ,
           examine
           it
           rightly
           ,
           that
           can
           enter
           into
           the
           heads
           of
           men
           ,
           whether
           you
           take
           it
           quadrate
           to
           his
           personal
           or
           rational
           Interest
           .
        
         
           For
           alas
           ,
           to
           say
           the
           Catholicks
           of
           this
           Nation
           were
           all
           loyal
           ,
           or
           rather
           truly
           not
           disloyal
           to
           his
           Father
           and
           him
           ,
           is
           but
           to
           make
           a
           History
           of
           a
           very
           short
           Age.
           For
           all
           the
           World
           knows
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           as
           possible
           for
           Catholicks
           to
           be
           Rebels
           ,
           if
           it
           consists
           with
           their
           Interests
           ,
           as
           any
           other
           men
           ;
           for
           he
           that
           should
           deny
           this
           ,
           might
           as
           well
           affirm
           we
           had
           no
           such
           thing
           as
           Rebellions
           in
           England
           before
           Henry
           the
           Eighth's
           time
           ,
           which
           I
           suppose
           ,
           
           if
           he
           would
           consider
           how
           King
           Johns
           Charter
           of
           Priviledges
           was
           extorted
           from
           him
           ,
           he
           would
           by
           no
           means
           assert
           .
           But
           alas
           ,
           let
           us
           say
           what
           we
           will
           on
           this
           side
           the
           Water
           ,
           our
           Brethren
           in
           Ireland
           ,
           we
           know
           too
           well
           ,
           led
           the
           dance
           to
           all
           the
           late
           mischiess
           ,
           except
           now
           I
           reflect
           on
           it
           ,
           they
           were
           out-posted
           by
           the
           Covenanters
           of
           Scotland
           .
           But
           indeed
           it
           is
           a
           folly
           to
           expect
           that
           any
           Religion
           ,
           being
           once
           become
           an
           Art
           ,
           will
           refuse
           to
           have
           recourse
           to
           the
           Sword
           against
           being
           opprest
           ,
           and
           I
           am
           afraid
           it
           is
           much
           for
           want
           of
           numbers
           proportionable
           ,
           the
           best
           of
           them
           are
           quiet
           in
           such
           circumstances
           .
        
         
           But
           however
           supposing
           the
           best
           ,
           that
           all
           Catholicks
           were
           loyal
           ,
           and
           that
           their
           Principles
           made
           them
           so
           ,
           is
           that
           an
           Argument
           sufficient
           to
           make
           the
           King
           provoke
           all
           his
           other
           Subjects
           to
           be
           otherways
           by
           his
           Indulgence
           to
           them
           ,
           who
           are
           not
           as
           one
           man
           to
           a
           hundred
           of
           the
           Nation
           ?
           Which
           is
           most
           reasonable
           ,
           that
           you
           ,
           dear
           Brother
           ,
           should
           strive
           as
           far
           as
           you
           can
           by
           the
           Rules
           of
           your
           Religion
           to
           comply
           with
           the
           Law
           for
           your
           own
           advantage
           ,
           or
           that
           the
           King
           should
           be
           forced
           to
           stop
           the
           course
           of
           it
           to
           his
           own
           prejudice
           to
           comply
           with
           your
           nice
           obstinacy
           ,
           meerly
           because
           he
           has
           your
           bare
           word
           ,
           that
           you
           will
           be
           very
           serviceable
           to
           him
           ?
           If
           another
           Rebellion
           shall
           on
           that
           account
           arise
           ,
           I
           am
           confident
           the
           case
           thus
           stated
           ,
           as
           certainly
           it
           does
           at
           present
           stand
           ,
           all
           rational
           men
           ,
           nay
           the
           Pope
           himself
           ,
           would
           conclude
           ,
           that
           the
           King
           in
           not
           medling
           ,
           but
           letting
           the
           Law
           and
           you
           tug
           for
           it
           ,
           is
           much
           in
           the
           right
           .
           Nor
           could
           he
           himself
           ,
           were
           he
           a
           Subject
           of
           any
           Catholick
           Country
           ,
           expect
           more
           friendship
           or
           favour
           .
           So
           for
           whose
           sake
           this
           happens
           
           to
           you
           is
           not
           material
           ,
           so
           it
           is
           ,
           and
           is
           like
           to
           be
           .
           Therefore
           let
           me
           once
           again
           advise
           you
           ,
           go
           to
           Mass
           at
           seven
           ,
           to
           Church
           at
           nine
           ,
           and
           if
           Mr.
           Politick
           scruples
           giving
           you
           Absolution
           for
           your
           sins
           ,
           except
           you
           confess
           that
           for
           one
           ,
           send
           to
           me
           ,
           I
           'le
           find
           you
           one
           shall
           venture
           his
           neck
           in
           the
           point
           to
           serve
           you
           for
           twenty
           pounds
           a
           year
           ,
           which
           you
           may
           easily
           save
           out
           of
           the
           two
           thousand
           that
           is
           demitia
           except
           you
           follow
           my
           counsel
           ,
           and
           deal
           with
           none
           but
           honest
           Catholick
           Priests
           ,
           not
           Roman
           Courtiers
           ,
           Men
           that
           aspire
           to
           be
           Provincials
           ,
           nay
           perhaps
           General
           of
           their
           Orders
           for
           their
           sturdy
           tricks
           in
           opposition
           to
           our
           Laws
           .
           These
           things
           I
           have
           said
           are
           great
           truths
           ,
           that
           you
           will
           thank
           me
           for
           one
           day
           ,
           if
           you
           follow
           the
           advice
           ;
           if
           not
           ,
           you
           will
           repent
           your self
           ,
           when
           you
           shall
           be
           ashamed
           not
           to
           persist
           contrary
           to
           reason
           in
           what
           you
           so
           unreasonably
           began
           .
        
         
           I
           could
           ,
           Brother
           ,
           have
           said
           much
           more
           to
           the
           Point
           ,
           which
           it
           may
           be
           I
           will
           add
           as
           I
           find
           you
           relish
           this
           ;
           till
           when
           I
           shall
           remain
           ,
           saying
           Paters
           and
           Aves
           for
           the
           opening
           of
           your
           understanding
           to
           your
           own
           good
           :
           So
           farewel
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
  

