"as wicked by catholic writers there, and of other "countries also: besides, it cannot be thought they "were murthered for being protestants, since 'twas "their powerful rebellion (let their faith have been "what it would) that drew them into that ill ma"chinated destruction. 66 "May it not be as well said in the next catholic king's reign, that the duke of Guise and cardinal "heads of the league, were killed for their religion also? Now nobody is ignorant, but 'twas "their factious authority which made that jealous "prince design their deaths, though by unwar66 rantable means. "If it were for doctrine that Hugonots suffered "in France, this haughty monarch would soon "destroy them now, having neither force nor town "to resist his might and puissance. They yet live "free enough, being even members of parliament, "and may convert the king's brother too; if he "think fit to be so. Thus you see how well pro"testants may live in a popish country, under a popish king nor was Charlemain more catholic "than this; for though he contends something with "the pope, 'tis not of faith, but about Gallican privileges, which perchance he may very lawfully "do. 66 Judge then worthy patriots, who are the best "used, and consider our hardship here in England, " where it is not only a fine for hearing mass, but "death to the master for having a priest in his house; "and so far we are from preferment, that by law "we cannot come within ten miles of London: all "which we know your great mercy will never permit 66 you to exact. "It hath often been urged, that our misdemeanors in queen Elizabeth's days, and king "James's time, were the cause of our punishment. "We earnestly wish that the party had more patience under that princess. But pray consider (though we excuse not their faults) whether it "was not a question harder than that of York and 66 Lancaster, the cause of a war of such length, and "death of so many princes,-who had most right, "queen Elizabeth or Mary Stuart; for since the "whole kingdom had crowned and sworn allegi 66 ance to queen Mary, they had owned her legi"timate daughter to Henry VIII; and therefore "it was thought necessarily to follow by many, "that if Mary was the true child, Elizabeth was "the natural, which must then needs give way to "the thrice noble queen of Scots. ""Twas for the royal house of Scotland that "they suffered in those days; and 'tis for the same "illustrious family we are ready to hazard all on any occasion. 66 "Nor can the consequence of the former pro"cedure be but ill, if a Henry VIII. (whom sir "W. Raleigh, and my lord Cherbury, two famous protestants, have so homely characterized) should "after twenty years cohabitation turn away his wife, and this out of scruple of conscience (as he “said) when as history declares, that he never spared "woman in his lust, nor man in his fury. "Now for the fifth of November; with hands "lifted up to heaven we abominate and detest. "And from the bottom of our hearts say, that may they fall into irrecoverable perdition, who propagate that faith by the blood of kings, which "is to be planted in truth and meekness only. 66 "But let it not displease you, men, brethren "and fathers, if we ask whether Ulysses* be no "better known? or who hath forgot the plots "Cromwell framed in his closet; not only to de"stroy many faithful cavaliers, but also to put a "lustre upon his intelligence, as if nothing could "be done without his knowledge. Even so did "the then great minister, who drew some few des"peradoes into this conjuration, and then discovered "it by a miracle. "This will easily appear, viz. how little the ca"tholic party understood the design, seeing there "was not a score of guilty found, though all imaginable industry was used by the commons, lords, "and privy council too. "But suppose, my lords and gentlemen, (which "never can be granted), that all the papists of that age were consenting, will you be so severe then to "still punish the children for the father's faults? Nay such children that so unanimously joined " with you in that glorious quarrel, when you and "we underwent such sufferings, that needs we "must have all sunk, had not our mutual love "assisted. Cecil, the earl of Salisbury is here alluded to. "What have we done that we should now de"serve your anger? Has the indiscretion of some "few incensed you? 'Tis true, that is the thing "objected. "Do not you know an enemy may easily mistake "a mass-bell for that which calls to dinner? "Or a sequestrator be glad to be affronted being "constable? when 'twas the hatred to his person, "and not present office, which perchance egged a "rash man to folly. "We dare with submission say, let a public in"vitation be put up against any party whatsoever; nay, against the reverend bishops themselves, and some malicious informer or other will allege that, "which may be far better to conceal. 66 "Yet all mankind by a manifesto on the house "door are encouraged to accuse us; nor are they 66 upon oath, though your enemies and ours take "all for granted and true. "It cannot be imagined where there are so many "men of heat and youth, (overjoyed with the happy restoration of their prince), and remember 66 ing the insolencies of their grandees, that they "should all at all times prudently carry themselves; "for this would be to be more than men. And 66 truly we esteem it as a particular blessing, that "God hath not suffered many through vanity or frailty to fall into greater faults, than are yet as "we understand laid to our charge. 66 "Can we choose but be dismayed (when all things fail) that extravagant crimes are fathered upon us. "It is we must be the authors (some say) of firing "the city, even we that have lost so vastly by it; yet in this, our ingenuity is great, since we think "it no plot, though our enemy an Hugonot pro"testant acknowledged the fact, and was justly "executed for his vain confession. Again, if a "merchant of the church of England buy knives "for the business of his trade, this also is a papist "contrivance to destroy the well affected. "We must a little complain, finding it by expe"rience, that by reason you discountenance us, "the people rage and again, because they rage, we are the more forsaken by you. 66 "Assured we are, that our conversation is affa"ble, and our houses so many hospitable receipts "to our neighbours. Our acquaintance therefore "we fear at no time; but it is the stranger we "dread: that (taking all on hearsay) zealously wounds, and then examines the business when it "is too late, or is perchance confirmed by another, "that knows no more of us than he himself. " 'Tis to you we must make our applications; be"seeching you (as subjects tender of our king) to "intercede for us in the execution, and weigh the "dilemma, which doubtless he is in, either to deny so good a parliament their requests, or else run "counter to his royal inclinations, when he punishes "the weak and harmless. 66 Why may we not, noble countrymen, hope for "favour from you, as well as French protestants "find from theirs? A greater duty than ours none "could express, we are sure; or why should the "united provinces, and other magistrates (that 66 are harsh both in mind and manners) refrain |