THis Bill was Voted and pas­sed by this Honorable house for the disarming of Papists, and confining them to se­verall places of safe custo­dy distant from their severall places of habitation, I conceive will prove to be the determination of all Plots and Conspira­cies privately or publikely in agitation by those of that Faction cofavourers thereof, that notwithstanding their ma­lice and malignant endeavours be not by the same extinguished and diverted, yet thereby the opportunity of putting in execution their designes, is quite taken away.

Mr. Speaker.

The distractions and Troubles raysed in this State by that party, hath necessi­tated this Bill for their disarming and confinement; There is no force so weak but vpon advantage and sit opportunity it may doe mischiefe to its adversaries, no man so cowardly, but fit his disposition according to his mind, whereof he may conceive himselfe out of danger in act­ing any designe, but he will be as ready as the most valiantest to put the same in Execution; There is no man what ever he be if of an Evill and disaffected Spirit either to his King or Country, although to the outward view never so cautious of offence, never so conformable to the Lawes and Statutes of the Kingdome, but if an opportunity at any time be ob­tained, will shew what in him lyes by his outward Actions the secret intentions of his heart formerly harbored privately in his breast,

Mr. Speaker,

All men know, or at least may know if they will, that are of any judgement, or have but reasonable understanding, [Page]the good Lawes and Ordinances of this Kingdome that have beene made and e­nacted against Papists Recusants, And that during the time of their due Execu­tion in the Raigne of Queene Elizabeth; and King. James of blessed Memorie. The evill Spirits of that Faction that were al­wayes plotting and devising mischiefe a­gainst the State and the very persons of the godly and wise Princes thereof, but by the same they have beene prevented & all these practizes brought to nought, And that since the remisnesse of Evill Officers to whom the Execution of these Lawes was intrusted in Executing the same to what a head and impudent bold­nesse that faction is increased; Is it not then time to beware of them, and by confirmation of the Ancient Lawes of this Kingdome, by this present and more then needfull Parliament, and such Or­der taken that they may be duely Execu­ted, that such Officers and Ministers of State may be chosen for that porpose as may faithfully discharge their Duties therein, in conscience towards God, whose cause they have vndertaken, to defend in [Page]dutifull obedience to their undoubted and lawfull Soveraigne, and integrity and duty to their Country, of which they are Members.

Mr. Speaker,

We see to what height that party is growne in Ireland for want of timely prevention, by putting the Lawes in ex­ecution against them in that Kingdome, while they were but weake in strength and power, we see the daily cruelties by them exercised against the Protestants that they overcome. Their impudent and altogether unreasonable Demands to the State and Councell there, And can it o­therwise be conceived, that if they be not here in this Kingdome timely prevented that they will not grow to the like height, doe the like actions, and worke the like destruction to this State as of that, And surely their Spirits are all a­like, and when opportunity fits the same, there is no trusting that Faction nor any adherents thereunto.

Mr. Speaker.

Is it likely, so long as the Grand Au­thors of all mischiefe, the Priests and Ie­suits, resident in any parts of this King­dome be not searched out, and executed according to the Lawes, or banished for ever, that this State can be safe or secure from their wicked Stratagems and divi­lish practizes, no surely; Therefore let not time be protracted in expediting this Bill, by consent of both Houses, and presented to his Majesty, for his Royall assent therevnto, and that the Lawes we now make and confirme may be speedi­ly with severity put in Execution; Their practizes with forraign States is not like­ly to be wanting whole Eyes have ever beene watching to destroy this our little Jsrael, The Pope we may have iust cause to suspect will now bend all his wits and policy to defend his owne cause which his servants have vndertaken, and wofull experience hath made it too ma­nifest, what bloody and cruell Warres [Page]hath by their meanes beeone raised in for­mer times, not onely in the King of Eng­lands Dominions, but even over the whole Christian World, and I believe? Nay it is too apparant, his malice still re­maines against Christ and his true Reli­gion, which God in his good time restore in all his Majesties Kingdomes to its anci­ent height and glorie.