YOU are pleas'd to desire my Opinion in reference to the Times, in answer whereunto I am the freer to impart my sentiments, that (if true and just) they may be improved to the reforming the er­roneous Judgments of others; and if I should in any circumstance be unhappily mistaken, your kind Information may minister to my Conviction.

In plain terms, the Face of England is very Squalid and Uncomfortable, and from her frequent Flushings, and from the many Contractions therein visible, it is easie to guess some strange malignity hath infected the Body, and that she is thereby much out of order; suddain Startings, wild and extravagant Talking, panick Fears and Consternations, secret Susurrations and Whisper­ings, are infallible symptoms of an evil habit; and under these our Dear Mo­ther at this present Juncture sorely laboureth: All which are imputed to the late Revolution, and as if so suddain a turn had brought upon her a [Page 2] Vertigo, many of her Children are giddy, some stagger, and not a few are fallen from their best Resolutions. It is my Opinion, That if this great Trans­action were well considered and understood, what was not prevented might be yet amended; it is but common that strange things should raise admiration, but where an Extasie or Distraction follows, the levity of Mens minds is blame­able. The way I have thought expedient to raise the lapsed and confirm the unstable, is to consider, 1. The Occasion requiring. 2. The Means introdu­cing. 3. The Advantages depending upon this Change. The former will shew us our Ruin, Misery and Desolation intended: In the next we may per­ceive Providence justly, gently and seasonably assisting: And in the last (if we are wise) we may behold our Honour, Peace and Happiness restored, and setled upon sure and lasting Foundations.

1. The Occasion requiring and urging this Revolution.

It is too unpleasing a subject for the entertainment of any generous mind, (nor shall my Pen describe the least Scene of our Misery with any such inten­tion) to reflect upon the person of a King, which all Nations acknowledg as Sacred. The Mischances or Errours of Government, may with Moderation be considered apart from the Person in whose Reign they hapned, and truly at that unhappy time (which ought never to be forgotten) Religion, the one thing needful, was fallen below indifferent, and it was more commendable to profess none than the true; Vast Treasures, Mountains of Wealth, and Rivers of humane Blood have been sacrific'd in defence of Protestantism, which now became an unpardonable Crime to own, especially in such as stood Candidates for any Promotion; and what by the means of the foregoing vitiousness and looseness, together with the prevalency of Interest, many did so degenerate, that the favour of the Prince weighed down both the Love and Dread of God; and his Commission was of more force than Gods Commands: yet these were the happy days which some nominal Protestants so heartily wish for again; it is no hard matter to guess their Zeal for the Truth, from their fond adhering to its Adversary.

I would willingly ask those Irreligious Loyalists, what good, what comfort to Mind or Body, they could reasonably promise themselves or posterity ( qua­tentis Protestants) from a Government which had brought it self under the un­happy necessity of introducing Popery; a Government which was oblig'd either to suppress the most pleasing hopes of an unlimited Power, or else to set up Ido­try for its Support? This alone would quickly have been fatal to Realm; for we cannot be ignorant how Jealous God is of his Honour, how severely he punish­ed Israels deviations from the True Worship; What Miseries, what Plagues, what Shame, what Captivity did their Spiritual Fornication bring upon them▪ And would not the same Means have produced the same Effects here as in Judea? How could any of us have hoped for the longer continuance of the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ among us, who must (having embraced the Romish Superstition) detract from, and impair his Merits, by admitting the Servants into Co-partnership with the Master in the great Work of the Mediati­on; and so deprive the Son of God of great part of his Honour to give it to the Children of Men?

Have so many Laborious and Learned, Wise and Pious Volumes, by Gods Blessing and Mens Travail, been wrote to defend and justifie our Religion; and must these without detection of the least Error, be condemned to Flames as False and Erroneous? Have those Holy Fathers who offered up their [Page 3] Lives to Fire and Sword (rather than comply with the unjust and impious Im­positions of Rome) been honoured with the glorious name of Martyrs, and will their ungrateful Posterity now prophanely Curse that Title, and call them Hereticks and Rebels to the Spouse of Christ? Yet this we must have come to, had Heaven tolerated the former Government longer. What has rob'd Truth of its Beauty, and put so charming a Vizard on Error, that our Arms are open for its Reception?

Why should Christians become weary of Gods Reigning over them by his Spirit of Grace, and of a sudden choose to submit themselves to the wiles, lusts and passions of sinful and miserably mistaken men? yet this they must do that will call back the late Government

Tell me, you that are sick of this Revolution, with what kind of Argu­ments do you justifie to your selves, the false, blasphemous, and ungodly Do­ctrins of Rome? What Arts, what Devices, can you think sufficient to per­swade those Souls which know themselves freed by the Blood of Christ, to serve him in Righteousness and Holiness, to practise such a voluntary Humility as to subject themselves in all their Concerns, as well Spiritual as Temporal, to the Superstition and Idolatry, to the Pride and sinful Traditions of the Man of Sin? Have you had your Bibles too long, and now grow weary of them; and so out of Policy for your ease, would let in that Religion which must (in its own defence) take them from you? Are you so angry with Prayers because Common, and in your Mother Tongue, that you long for such as are strange and in an unknown Tongue, such as the Priest alone (and sometimes not he neither) understands? Have two Sacraments been thought too many and bur­densome by some of you, and will seven be lighter? But such of you as have a due Veneration for both, how will you approve it when you shall see them Celebrated contrary to their Primitive Institution? Instead of being used as Conduits of Grace, they are made Instruments of Rebellion, Blood and Cru­elty. You that are now asham'd to acquaint your loving, your grave and pious Pastor, with the sins which gall and trouble your Consciences, how will you like it, when compell'd to confess all, even the smallest infirmity, to a cunning Priest, who shall make Merchandise of your Guilt, and Tyrannize over you from the knowledge of your weakness? Yet thus must you have put your Heads under their Girdles, had not this happy Revolution reliev'd you

You who think it much to joyn with the Publick in an humble and penitent Confession, and together with them receive the benefit of Absolution, how will you take it to be sent on tedious Pilgrimages, leaving in the mean while your dearest concerns a prey to their Will, who shew you so little mercy? How will you like of building Hospitals, while your own Houses are ready to drop upon your Heads? Will it please you to give the Sweat of your Brows, and the hard labour of your Hands, to fatten and pamper your Ghostly Father, and in the mean while see your Children starve? and yet in this expectation they were come over How will you like it to have those Wives (upon whom you fear the publick Examples are too prevalent) to be opportunely conversant with persons whose Religion prohibits lawful, but tolerates unlawful enjoy­ments? Who declare a Priest may not Marry, but yet may keep a Whore; and so they do where-ever they come.

How will it please you to see your Sons, which might have grown up as Plants, the Strength and Ornament of their Country, seduced into Monasteries▪ Where nursed up in Ignorance, Plenty and Idleness, they become fitted for all [Page 4] manner of wickedness? How will you like it to see your Daughters cooped up in Nunneries; than which Seraglio's have been more Chaste: where instead of being like polish'd Corners of the Temple, shining in Knowledge, Grace and Vertue, they serve as Pillars for the wanton Priests to hang the Trophies of their Lusts upon?

You now have the Word in season and out of season; you have the Touch­stone in your hands to try the Spirits of the Prophets by, then you must expect but little of this nature; peradventure a recital of some pretended Saints Life taken out of the Legend: And as for the truth of all things, your short and easie way must be without further examination, to believe as the Church be­lieves. Thus you must have pinn'd your Faith upon the Priests Sleeve, had the Abdicated King continued.

Consider the horrid Cruelties of the Inquisition; peruse the Martyrologies; call to mind the frequent and bloody Massacres made by this Religion. You that are so fond to live under a Popish Government, hear what you must then expect! And yet to all these things we were condemned. Was not this there­fore occasion sufficient to wish and pray for the time of our Redemption; to believe and speak honourably of this Revolution? Yet have I not related the one half of those insufferable Grievances in respect of Religion, under which we must have lingred out a most miserable Life. He must be a Papist inwardly (notwithstanding all his specious pretences) who admires, speaks and wishes for such an administration again.

Another occasion requiring and urging forward this Revolution, was the Vi­olation of our Laws.

Nothing more fully demonstrates the Wisdom, Piety and Justice of a Nati­on, nor redounds more to the honour of a Prince, than the enacting and exe­cuting of good and wholsome Laws: These are the Cement which preserves not only smaller Bodies, but the Universe from dissolution: The Goods of Na­ture and Fortune, All the Comforts of Life are no longer pleasant to their possessors, than the Laws are had in Veneration. It is one of the greatest Plagues of War, that it drowns the Voice of the Law: What then can we say in excuse for the late notorious Violation of them? What could be expected less than an inundation of miseries, when the Fence was demolished, and Mens Lusts and Passions ran so high?

To that pass were things brought, that those very Laws which gave the great­est security to our Religion and Liberty, to our Lives and Fortunes, were upon Repealing; and they lay under the Censure of Prophane and Disloyal, who did not with the greatest Industry seek and propose their Abolishing. That humane Laws should be thus trampled on, was but a Natural Consequence to that boldness offered the Divine.

Amongst the many Laws of England none more notable (or at least our dreadful Circumstances did so represent it) than such as prohibit a standing Force to be raised by the Prince, without the Consent and Concurrence of his Parliament: And have not our Eyes seen this snapt as Love? Was not a Body of Men rais'd and disciplin'd after such a manner, that they were much fitter to be the Agressors than Defenders of their Country; to destroy, than guard the Peace and Liberty of the Nation? If our Throats must be Cut, better by our Enemies than Fellow-Subjects.

Our Laws have made provision, not only for the Princes Royal Prerogative, but likewise for Subjects just Right; yet how strangely was the later swallowed [Page 5] up of the former, and the bare pleasure of the late King signified to the All-complying Judges, was of power to disseise the Subject of his Birth-right. 'Tis as good to have nothing, as no Right to what we have.

The Laws of England prescribe due Limits to the Regal Power; but in our days, as if the Throne had been sick of a Tympany, all Bounds and Measures grew so uneasie, that the reasonable and modest way of Addressing, if it suited not with the Designs of Court, was termed Disloyal; and so bad a Name was next door to hanging. It is hard to bear Oppression; but most severe, not to be allow'd the liberty of declaring, and by honest and lawful means seek a redress.

They must be perversly ignorant of the Constitutions of England, who dare to justifie an unlimited Power, and Arbitrary Proceedings. These persons de­stroy both the Nature and End of Government.

Self-preservation first induc'd the associating of private Persons and Fami­lies, who agreed upon one common Interest, and upon a joynt Defence, against the Pride and Ambition of their encroaching Neighbours, who were too po­tent for them single and divided; and this Mother-Wit was so well approved, that in process of time it occasioned the Uniting and Incorporating of greater Companies; which deliberately chose themselves by way of stipulation, a Chief, expecting from him Defence and Protection, engaging to him Honour, Tri­bute and Preheminence. It was not long since, that in the Title of the English Kings, might have been read in room of Jure haereditario, electione populi, which I suppose was erased, to make way for a strange gloss upon the Doctrins of Pas­sive Obedience and Non resistance.

They that pretend to absolute Monarchy, destroy as well the End as Original of Power. For whereas the good of the governed is thereby chiefly intend­ed, these Men have nothing further in their eye, than gratifying the Will, Lust and Pleasure of the person governing. This is a state so intolerable, that such as plead most earnestly for it, did they wisely perpend the great variety of Mens Humours, the many unlucky Contingencies to which Human Life lies obnoxious, they would soon perceive the instability of their present favour, and conclude themselves in danger of the greatest Slavery; but admit we should allow, sufficient provision was made for themselves under such a Tyranny, yet what have they (by crying up this Diana) done for their Posterity? What assurance have they, that the Rod the Father hath made, shall not scourge the Son? It is Vanity in the highest degree, to promise our selves the enjoyment of our Fathers, or our own Labour and Industry; when that the Laws them­selves, which are our only security, cannot keep Ahab out of Naboth's Vine­yard when minded to enter

The Leviathan is said to be made to take his pastime in the Sea; the Ocean is large and deep, and fitted as it were for his Recreation; but to think or say, that myriads of People, whole Countries and Kingdoms were by God created for any single person to execute his Will and Pleasure on without controul, I conceive would much derogate from the Wisdom, Justice and Goodness of God, especially when we consider such persons as they stand related to the Son of God by their Christian Profession; they that are in love with absolute Power, I perswade my self, a short change with a Subject of France would quick­ly cure their madness.

It must be dismal to the tender heart of a Christian, to think how cheap the Blood and Lives of Men grew, and what multitudes of Souls contrary to Law, [Page 6] were sacrificed to the Idols of Popery and Arbitrary Power: Blessed be God, these high places are pulled down, and none in their Wits can wish their Re­storation.

The English Laws provide, that the good be rewarded, and the bad punish­ed; consequently inequality in dispensing Rewards and Punishments, must cre­ate great confusion; yet have the honest and upright, the truly Religious and Loyal, been Brow-beaten, discarded from Employments, burdened with Fines and Imprisonments, branded with Ignominy and Shame, and not a few done to death, while the Childrens Bread hath been given to Dogs, while Villains and Varlets, who have neither regarded God nor Man, Religion nor Honesty, farther than their particular Interests, have been strangely exalted to the highest Favour and Preferment, have been born out in their haughtiness, cruelty, im­pudence and injustice.

My Discourse would extend too far, should I enumerate every particular Law which lately felt the irresistable Force of Popery and Tyranny; as the bringing in of the Pope's Nuncio, which is so palpable Treason, that upon the first mo­tion a wise Lord withdrew from Counsel, resolving to have no hand in an Af­fair so directly contrary to the Laws, and of so fatal a Consequence to the Good of his Country I might likewise insist in calling to Council a professed Priest, and multitudes of the like Violations, but shall mention but one more, viz.

The Law of Rights, whereby Provision is made that every individual Person peacefully obtain and enjoy what ever of Right belongs to him; yet I believe since the World stood, was not this Law less valu'd than lately; witness the Su­spending, Removing and Imprisoning divers Honourable and Worthy Persons; but above all, that notorious Attempt of imposing an Heir upon these King­doms, the Prejudices hereby intended to the next Heir and Nation were num­berless; not only defrauding the rightful Heiress, but translating the Diadem out of the Family; this was the ready way to involve these Kingdoms in Blood and War, to extirpate our Religion, to confound all Foreign Alliance, to facili­tate the French Conquest, to enslave a Free People; and that this was so done, matter of Fact doth testifie.

And seems it not strange to every sober and thinking Person, to hear some at this day exclaiming, Why is not the Prince of Wales prov'd an Impostor? I answer this Question with another, Why was not that care taken which the Law required to vindicate and clear his Birth? But whoso discreetly reflects upon the management of this matter, will observe so much Providence in con­founding the Counsel of the Wise, and so much Confidence in themselves and Projects, as spoil'd the whole Contrivance, by their preposterous Boasting of Fu­ture Events; the variety of times on which the supposed Conception was Fa­thered; and that in Defiance to the Judgment of the ablest Physicians, who from the Infirmities of the Queen had long before concluded a living Birth im­possible; their pretended Spirit of Prophecy declared them Liars, who asserted a Male issued, and rejoyced for it publickly in some remote Countries of Eng­land, before the Queen knew any thing of it: (But yet this mistake was par­donable in this regard, that the Age of the Infant would allow it) The Diver­sity of places appointed for this Royal Delivery; the next Heirs being not call'd; what were at Hand were sent out of the way; the easie pains; the Conveni­ency of the Room; the Religion and Interest of the Midwife, and other At­tendants; the drawn Curtains intercepting the Few Nobles then in presence from hearing or beholding; and at last, when to satisfie the Nation as was pre­tended, [Page 7] the best of their Strength, the strongest of their Vouchers were called, some were Foreigners, some of slender and mean Fortunes; not a Person, whose Religion, Interest or common Conversation did not directly oppose all Credence: And after all these, is there any necessity to make farther Trouble of a thing of nothing? So far did it conduce to settle the Crown, to the suc­cessful carrying on of their Designs, that had the thing been real, had the Queen truly conceived, had she gone her time, had she had strength to bring forth, we should have had better Attestants, neither Seath, Bath, nor Tower had kept any from seeing their future hopes disappointed: But their Fear and Consci­ousness of the Evil intended, advised against calling too many and too honest Witnesses to a palpable Forgery. Why do Men now wonder to see the Crown, by the over-ruling Providence of God, fallen from his Head, who in his Heart through a blind Zeal intended to rob his Family thereof? Let such weigh well these things, that desire so passionately a return of Times. What Safety, when the Laws are of no Force? It is full as secure to dwell among Rogues and Vil­lains, who hate all Law; as among them whose Laws, though never so good are of no further efficacy than the Will of one single Person gives way.

2. The means by which this Revolution was brought about, were great, just, and moderate.

So great, we must principally attribute it to the Divine Providence; so just, that no rational Objection can be made against it; some colourable Stories are buz'd about, which are wholly inconsistent with Reason, the Law of Nature, or those of the Kingdom; so moderate, that never was less Blood or Violence known in working so signal a Deliverance.

The Providence of God was visible, in that, although the Kings of the Earth stood up, and the Rulers took Counsel together for our utter overthrow, and that their Projects were permitted so far to succeed, as might discover the malicious Intentions of their Authors, and convince us that our Ruin was by them concluded, yet were they blasted before they attain'd their desired matu­rity: What could effect this? What could snatch a Prey out of the Jaws of Destruction, but the powerful hand of Heaven? Providence was likewise seen in that wonderful Christian Patience then exercised by the Subjects in general, notwithstanding such manifest and important Provocations, as when an illegal Army was constantly insulting over them, their Charters pull'd and command­ed from them, when all hopes of Justice were excluded, when such Persons were put into all places of Trust, whether Sacred, Civil, and Military, as had com­bin'd to set up a Power, and introduce a Religion, which must inevitably and speedily confound all: As none but God alone could bestow such a wonderful Patience, so nothing but this Patience could have preserv'd them for a Revoluti­on; for the least Offence given, the Hereditary Title had changed to that of Conquest. When all had been lost, as our Enemies desired and expected, this Patience did suppress Choler, though not Fear; it kept the Tongue from revi­ling, though not the Heart from trembling; the Hand quiet, tho the Ear was daily alarm'd.

Such admirable Patience, such modest Submission would have turn'd the Heart of any Father to the Children, had not the cruel Jesuit prepossessed it; and to prevent all opportunities of doing Justice, and shewing Mercy, success­fully advis'd against tolerating Addresses.

Man's Extremity is usually Heaven's Opportunity; and when among us all humane Help failed, then did he that sitteth in Heaven, (and also ruleth in the [Page 8] Kingdoms of Men) stand up to help these meek and oppressed Kingdoms: It was from God that counsel came, (seeing the present Possessor inexorable) to apply to the next Heir, who stood bound in Conscience to appear in Their As­sistance, who were both Christians, and part of his Inheritance; nor could he possibly connive at their waste and ruin, unless resolv'd upon his own Disho­nour and Damage. To his R. H. therefore the Nobles and Gentry of each De­gree and Quality speed away their Humble Petition, such a large Description of so many various and intollerable Sufferings as they were constrained to give, set his Heroick Blood on fire. His own particular danger was not so much con­sidered, as our timely Preservation; and he resolutely and generously under­takes the just Defence of the Forlorn, and them that had no Helper. Who doubts the Hand of the Almighty in this blessed Revolution? Who else could incline the Dutch (a People naturally jealous of their Liberty and Interest; a People highly disoblig'd by Acts of Hostility and open Wars, by our unkind deserting them in their necessity) to put forth the utmost of their Strength un­der the Princes Conduct in order for our Relief? It was the Righteous God who would not suffer the Debt contracted in the days of Q. Elizabeth to be longer unpaid.

Farther, When these were Landed, what became of the Courage of the Standing Army? Who fill'd them with that Consternation, as to turn back in the day of Battle? Did not their Guilty Consciences apprehend these Succours to be as the Armies of the Living God, against whom it was in vain to make Resistance?

What more just Proposals could a Prince so highly concern'd, after so great Advantages obtain'd, offer. Than that all Matters might be accomodated by the great Council of the Nation, a Parliament free from all manner of Cor­ruption and Prejudice? Father Peters had Christned their cruel, bloody and unjust doings by the Name of Doing God good Service. But now the Man, whose Eyes this unexpected help had opened, saw how Religious soever Holy Mother Church might style them, yet they were not justifiable; and therefore so dreaded the Examination, that he judg'd it greater Prudence to Abdicate the Realm, than be detected.

The Flock is in great Danger when the careless Shepherd deserts it, but in greater when he angrily devotes it to the Ravenous Wolf: And that we were not a Prey, the greatest Thanks are due to Heaven for sending us so seasonable a Deliverance.

As for Moderation, What greater could be shewn in every Transaction, than what was at this time common? Especially if we regard how desperate our Case was; neither the Person of the late K. J. nor any of his Attendants suf­fered the least Violence, more than what the present Circumstances (of which they knew the Authors) made necessary, or their own indiscreet stiffness pull'd upon them.

When a blind Zeal and boundless Ambition shall change the Hearts of Princes, so that they have no regard, no pity, no care or concern for the Safety and Well-being of their People; these Transports render them uncapable of con­tinuing their Government. This was once the Judgment of Crowned Heads, when they were consulted in the Case of Portugal, whose King became so fren­zical, as to kill his Subjects in sport, and without due Process of Law. What greater Madness can a Prince possibly be guilty of, Than to destroy and waste his People, to rob them of their Antient and Lawful Priviledges, to bear that [Page 9] mortal hatred to their Religion (though by Laws established) as to Sacrifice the Professors to extinguish the Profession?

The Government of England is certaily Feodatory, and the Solemn Oaths ta­ken by our Kings at their Coronation, to Govern according to Law, has so much more than a Ceremony, that from thence rises the Subjects Homage and Fealty. Who knows not that one part of the Covenant being broken, all Obligations of keeping the other ceases? No Reason to cry out, There is Treachery, O A­haziah, when he that exclaims is to himself the greatest Traytor.

This Revolution in the main depended upon the Divine Pity and Commise­ration; the outward Causes thereunto moving were, The Change of Religion, Violation of Laws, Deserting the Throne, repairing to the professed Enemy of the State, seeking and employing Foreign Force to enslave a Free People. Had not these things been, K. J. might have now been at Whitehall, and have been Lord of all true English Hearts and Affections: But what Heart can truly love, or Hand fight for that Governor that they are sure will destroy them We have better Eyes, and cannot like Mocks, adore that Light which will e're long consume us.

3. The Advantages attending this Revolution are both as great and as many as either our Necessities require, or our Curiosity can invent? In short, Reli­gion (with which no worldly Consideration is worthy to stand in Competition) is by secured to us and our posterity. The King that now Reigns, is not only flesh of our flesh, and bone of our bone, and so our Natural Liege Lord; but of our Religion also; and so he ought to be the more dear, as we are the more safe: Our Laws are once more Sacred, our Priviledges allow'd, our Rights asserted; and could we be so happy as to be reconciled to God by an hearty Re­pentance, and an honest Reformation; could we unite and agree among our selves, we are blest with a King, who by his Prowess, Wisdom, Justice and Goodness, will make us as Great, as Glorious, as Happy, and as Dreadful as ever.

Some there are (whose supposed numbers are not so dreadful as their pra­ctices Hellish) which are industrious to perswade weak and unthinking persons into a belief of glorious times to succeed the Restoration of the Abdicated King; and by cunning and fair words they do beguile some unstable persons, and draw them from their proper and safer Allegiance. I would beg the seduced, or they that are in danger so to be, to consider the Vanity of these Proposals, by reflect­ing on the persons who prefer them: Observe how they exult upon every ad­vantage of the French; and are never better pleased than in the danger of their Native Country: It is plain, they are of a servile Nature, and fitted for the Yoke; and the case properly in their esteem, is not so much whether King W. or J. shall be King, as that the King of France may become our Master: Pitiful spirited Wretches, that sell their Liberty, their Country, for a little Gold, to a Monstrous Tyrant!

It is notoriously known how disaffected the Subject is in general, to all thoughts of a voluntary recalling a King, whose Ambition, Wrath and Cruelty, have been so dreadful: When re-invested with Power, what shall prevent a sharp Re­venge? If our Metropolis was sacrific'd in Flames to gratifie the Pride and Envy of aspiring Rome, nothing less than enslaving the Land, a Confiscation of Estates, and a general Victim of poor Protestants, can attone the Wrath which now is incens'd. Which of all the Advocates for so desperate a Cause, dare say the late King's Zeal for Popery is abated, that his Thirst for an unlimited Power [Page 10] is asswag'd, that he has wean'd himself from the influence of Jesuitical Coun­sels, that Justice and Equity, Truth and Mercy, that the good Honour and Welfare of the Realm, is any more his delight than ever? so short, if any Voy­age, rarely makes such an happy alteration, especially on them who Travel where they see no Presidents to rectifie their former misapprehensions.

Since therefore so little hope of a return is to be expected from the abus'd Affection of his People; by what other means can he force his re-entry, except the French assistance? And it is probable, Lewis will with great Gallantry plead this Cause, till such time as he shall see opportunity to set up his own; but should we suppose that Generosity in that extravagantly ambitious King, that he would but clear the way unto the Throne, and then draw off; yet must we believe, so great a Charge shall be demanded, as the whol [...] Wealth of the Kingdom can­not answer: Sure it were better Policy for us to unite, aid and assist him with a moyety, who will preserve the rest, by keeping such Enemies out, and che­rishing and protecting us within our dear and native Country.

It is sufficient to make the Jolliest Heart to bleed, to forethink such troubles as must naturally follow, should some wicked mens hopes be compleated: Our Religion must truckle to Popery; our Liberty must be exchang'd into Slavery; our Rights and Priviledges into Courtesie; our Law must be Nero's Will; our Country and Trade must be a prey to Foreigners; our Wives the subject of their Lust, our Children dasht against the Stones; humane Blood must wash the Streets, and cleanse the Land; and if Cruelty shall be weary before a thorough depopulation, the surviving will serve for Drudges and Laughing-Stocks: Nor let any flatter themselves of greater security, in that they have been bred Sons of Rome, or that they have lately conform'd to that Religion. The fear of a Relapse shall sentence the last, and want of Zeal and action in the Cause, shall be the formers Doom: besides, to support a sinking Cause, to animate Cruelty and Barbarism, all the Estates, Lands and Livings of this Realm, are devoted as an Oblation to the Church, or a Reward to the Soldier. High time is it there­fore for all English Men to consider, while they have Hands and Hearts, Power and Strength, couragiously to Assert and Defend the Justice of this Revolution, and in all thankfulness to God, and Loyalty to their Majesties King William and Queen Mary, to unite and strengthen themselves against the common Ene­my. They are incited by the Royal Example; they are encouraged by their own good and safety; they are compell'd to it, for Hannibal is now at the Gates.