Sober and Serious QUAERIES about the Popish Plot, and the Protestants of ENGLAND.

THo in this unparallel'd age some might think nothing could seem too strange; Yet the Papists Impudence, in a Protestant Country, is certainly to be ad­mir'd; 'Tis an intolerable presumption that they dare contrive all possible Villanies, and then endeavour to wipe off the Guilt by laying it upon Pro­testants. Amongst the rest, we cannot but take notice of that Popish Drudge N. T. the Jesuits Tool, and common Hackney for conveying their Venom into the minds of the unthinking and unwary People, that by the noise of PLOTS and Designs amongst Protestants, they might suppress the prosecution of that Undeniable one of their own. This Impudent News-monger in his Lying Intelligence Numb. 162. out of Zeal forsooth, to propagate the Reformed Religon, by ridiculing the True Professors thereof, must needs make the world believe, by his False and Impertinent Quaeres, That Protestants em­brace as pernicious Doctrines, and use worse Practices than the Papists, or the very Fryars, Priests and Jesuits; though Malice it self cannot instance one Protestant in England Guilty of any such Crimes; or that will not freely renounce all Dangerous and Disloyal Principles inconsistent with the Government. But because I intend shortly to publish a particular Confutation of these Idle Quaeres; I will in the mean time only desire Loyal N. T's speedy Answer to the following Interrogatories.

I. Whether it be not Arraigning the Justice of the Nation, and the Wisdom of Three Suc­cessive Parliaments, to say, That the Popish Plot in England was but a Contrivance of the Presbyterians, when so many Jesuits and known Traytors have been Executed upon that account, and Coleman's Letters were so full to confirm the Testimonies of Dr. Oates, Capt. Bedlow, &c?

II. Whether the Commitment and Persecution of the Earl of Shafts. was not a Contrivance of the Papists, managed by their Agents and Hirelings, in order to frighten others from pro­secuting the Hellish Conspiracies of that Faction?

III. Whether the Association produced at the Proceedings against that Noble Peer, was not framed by a Popish Polititian, and foisted in among other Papers, by those that pretend to have found it in his Lordship's Closet, the better to gain credit to the Incredible Depositions of their Pupils?

IV. Whether it be not great Insolence in any Man in England to prosecute Dissenting Protestants upon Penal Laws made against Papists; especially since the Representative bo­dy of the Nation have resolv'd in Parliament, That to put those Laws in Execution against Protestants, is at this time a Grievance to the Subject, and a great encouragement to Popery?

V. Whether there be any relying on the Fidelity or Interest of the Addressors, and Association-Abhorrors? And whether they are more Loyal now, than when they petitioned for a Parlia­ment? Or, can it be thought, if time will serve, but they may again turn Petitioners?

VI. Whether Warcup, Fitz-Gerald, Marriot and Graham, the Great Managers of the late Sham-Plots, have not been more zealous for the Gentleman in the North, than for the KING; And as active to stifle Evidences of the Popish Plot, as to create New Ones to fix a Protestant Conspiracy?

VII. Whether these Managers have won or lost by their new Imployment? And whether they are not supported by some of the first Magnitude about Court (as is specified in the 1st. 2d. and 3d. parts of No Protestant-plot) in order to advance the Interest of the Duke of York, and put an end to the Popish Plot?

VIII. Whether Warcup and Fitz Gerald, (who have often declared, that the Popish Plot in Ireland was Voted in Parliament upon false and groundless surmises) do not study to stifle the Popish Plot, and asperse the Wisdom of the Parliament?

IX. Whether Fitz-Gerald (that had the Impudence to say, that Stafford and Plunket died Innocent, and that the Papists of Ireland ought not to be Tryed in England) be not as much a Papist as he is an Irish-man, and deserves rather a close Confinement, till he is called to an ac­count in Parliament, than to have the liberty of trotting the Irish-Boggs, or be fed at Court for God knows what?

X, Whether the Interest of the Gentleman in the North, or the ability and policy of Wor. Hal: Clar. H—d, S—r, or J. will be able to protect their Mercenary Hirelings, or justifie their own Proceedings since the Dissolution of the last Parliament, when called to an accoun [...] in the next.

Now, Loyal Nat. solve these Anxious Quaeres, Et eris mihi Apolline major.

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