"those we have shed, but the cause, viz. to see our "dearest friends forsake us, we hope it will not "offend you, if, (after we have a little wiped our "eyes), we sigh out our complaints to you.

"We had spoke much sooner, had we not been "silent through consternation to see you inflamed, "whom with reverence we honour, and also to show "our submissive patience, which used no slights nor "tricks to divert the debates of parliament: for nobody can imagine, where so many of the great "nobility and gentry are concerned, but something "might have been done; when, as in all ages, we see things of public advantage by the managers dexterity nipt in the bud, even in the very houses "themselves. Far be it from catholics to perplex

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parliaments, who* have been the founders of their "privileges, and all ancient laws: nay, Magna "Charta itself had its rise from us, which we do "the less boast of, since it was not at first obtained "in so submiss and humble a manner.

"We sung our Nunc Dimittis when we saw our "master in his throne, and you in your deserved authority and rule.

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"Nor could any thing have ever grieved us "more but to have our loyalty called into question "by you, even at the instigation of our greatest "adversaries.

"If we must suffer, let it be by you alone; for "that's a double death to men of honour to have "their enemies not only accusers, but for their "insulting judges also.

* i. e. Which catholics.

1

"These are they that, by beginning with us, mur"thered their prince, and wounded you: and shall "the same method continue by your approbation?

"We are sure you mean well; though their

design be wicked: but never let it be recorded "in story, that you forgot your often vows to us, “in joining with them that have been the cause of "so great calamity to the nation.

"Of all calumnies against catholics, we have "admired at none so much, as that their principles are said to be inconsistent with government, and they themselves thought ever prone to rebellion.

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'My lords and gentlemen, had this been a new sect, not known before, something perchance might have been doubted: but to lay this at their "doors that have governed the civilized world, is "the miracle of miracles to us.

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"Did Richard the first, or Edward Longshanks,

suspect his catholics that served in Palestine, and "make our country's fame big in the chronicle of "all ages? or did they mistrust (in their dangerous "absence) their subjects at home, because they "were of the same profession? Could Edward the "third imagine those to be traitorous in their doc"trine, that had that care and duty for their prince,

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as to make them (by statute) guilty of death in "the highest degree, that had the least thought of "ill against the king? Be pleased that Henry the "fifth be remembered also, who did those wonders, "of which the whole world does yet resound; "and certainly all history will agree in this, that

"'twas Oldcastle he feared, and not those that "believed the bishop of Rome to be head of the "church.

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"We will no longer trouble you with putting

you in mind of any more of our mighty kings who "have been feared abroad, and as safe at home as “ any since the reformation of religion. We shall only add this, that if popery be the enslaving of "princes, France still believes itself as absolute as "Denmark or Sweden.

"Nor will ever the house of Austria abjure the pope, to secure themselves of the fidelity of their subjects.

"We shall always acknowledge to the whole "world, that there have been às many brave Eng"lish in this last century, as in any other place "whatsoever: yet, since the exclusion of the ca"tholic faith, there hath been that committed by "those who would fain be called protestants, that "the wickedest papist at no time dreamt of.

""Twas never heard of before, that an abso"lute queen was condemned by subjects, and those "styled her peers; or that a king was publicly tried "and executed by his own people and servants.

"My lords and gentlemen, we know who were "the authors of this last abomination, and how

generously you strove against the raging torrent; "nor have we any other ends to remember you of "it, but to show that all religions may have a cor"rupted spawn; and that God hath been pleased "to permit such a rebellion, which our progenitors

τσ

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never saw, to convince you perchance (whom for

ever may

he prosper) that popery is not the only 66 source of treason.

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"Little did we think, (when your prayers and "ours were offered up to beg a blessing on the "king's affairs) ever to see that day, in which "Carlos Gifford, Whitgrave, and the Pendrels, "should be punished by your desires for that religion which obliged them to save their forlorn prince; and a stigmatized man (for his offences against king and church) a chief promoter of it. "Nay, less did we imagine, that by your votes "Huddleston might be hanged, who again secured "our sovereign; and others free in their fast pos"sessions that sat as judges, and sealed the exe"cution of that great prince of happy memory,

"We confess we are unfortunate, and you just judges, whom with our lives we will ever maintain "to be so; nor are we ignorant the necessity of "affairs made both the king and you do things, "which formerly you could not so much as fancy. “Yet give us leave to say, we are still loyal; nay, "to desire you to believe so, and to remember how "synonimous (under the late rebellion) was the "word papist and cavalier; for there was never no "papist that was not deemed a cavalier, nor no "cavalier that was not called a papist, or at least "judged to be popishly affected.

"We know, though we differ something in religion (the truth of which let the last day judge) "yet none can agree with your inclinations, or are "fitter for your converse than we; for as we have

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HISTORICAL MEMOIRS OF

" as much birth among us as England can boast of, "so our breeding leans your way both in court and camp and therefore, had not our late sufferings "united us in that firm tie, yet our like humours "must needs have joined our hearts.

"If we err, pity our condition, and remember "what your great ancestors were, and make some "difference between us (that have twice converted

England from paganism) and those other sects "that can challenge nothing but intrusion for "their imposed authority.

"But 'tis generally said, that papists cannot live "without persecuting all other religions within "their reach.

"We confess, where the name of protestant is unknown, the catholic magistrates (believing it erroneous) do use all care to keep it out: yet in "those countries where liberty is given, they have "far more privileges than we, under any reformed "government whatsoever. To be short, we will "only instance France for all, where they have "public churches, where they can make what pro"selytes they please, and where it's not against "law to be in any charge or employment. Now "Holland (which permits every thing) gives us, "'tis true, our lives and estates, but takes away all "trust in rule, and leaves us also in danger of the scout, whensoever he pleaseth to disturb our meetings.

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Because we have named France, the massacre "will perchance be urged against us: but the "world must know, that was a cabinet plot, con